Congressional Caucus on Corrections Formed

Nearly 30 members of Congress are joining together in the new Congressional Caucus on Corrections Issues, bringing a stronger, louder voice for correctional officers to Capitol Hill. AFSCME initiated the formation of the bipartisan caucus in order to move corrections issues higher on the congres-sional agenda and to develop support for federal legislation of importance to COs.

The caucus is being co-chaired by Reps. Peter King (R-N.Y.), Steve Horn (R-Calif.), Tim Holden (D-Pa.) and Ted Strickland (D-Ohio). Another founding member, Rep. Gerald Solomon (R-N.Y.), is retiring, but he was instrumental in helping AFSCME get the caucus off the ground.

In a letter to colleagues soliciting membership, caucus co-chairs Strickland and Horn wrote, “The caucus is committed to providing assistance to federal, state and local corrections agencies and officers through its leadership on Capitol Hill.”

According to AFSCME Legislative Director Chuck Loveless, AFSCME’s goal is to get every member of Congress whose district includes a corrections facility to join the caucus. The Legislative Department is working with caucus members now, setting priorities for their work, and it will continue to help set the agenda and educate members of Congress about corrections concerns.

Loveless notes that membership in the caucus is growing daily. If your representative is not on the list of members below, dial 1-888-898-7717, and ask to be connected to his or her office.

In addition to the co-chairs, other members of the caucus are:

Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.)
Allen Boyd (D-Fla.)
Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)
Gary Condit (D-Calif.)
Bud Cramer (D-Ala.)
Tom Davis (R-Va.)
Phil English (R-Pa.)
Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.)
Michael Forbes (R-N.Y.)
Tony Hall (D-Ohio)
Tim Holden (D-Pa.)
Amo Houghton (R-N.Y.)
Chris John (D-La.)
Sue Kelly (R-N.Y.)
Barbara Kennelly (D-Conn.)
Ron Kind (D-Wis.)
Gerry Kleczka (D-Wis.)
Rick Lazio (R-N.Y.)
Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.)
Bill Luther (D-Minn.)
Bob Matsui (D-Calif.)
George Nethercutt (R-Wash.)
Ed Pastor (D-Ariz.)
Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)
Steve Rothman (D-N.J.)
James Walsh (R-N.Y.)