St. Louis Navy League Leaders Advocate for Sea Services on Capitol Hill

St. Louis Navy League Council President Henry Stephenson and Midwest Region Central Area President Tim Raines joined Navy League members from across the country May 7 for the organization’s annual Fly-In to Washington.

The two leaders met with congressional staff representing both of Missouri’s senators and several House members from the region. While much of Congress was focused on the pending reconciliation bill, staffers were familiar with maritime issues in the SHIPS Act and open to discussions on other Navy League priorities.

Stephenson, who also serves as the Midwest regional vice president for legislative affairs, said the experience highlighted the importance of citizen engagement.

“This was my first time engaging with Congress on Capitol Hill, and it was heartening that members of Congress and their staffers were accessible and wanted to hear from us,” Stephenson said. “I was struck by how our legislators’ offices were open to the public and how the halls were filled with citizens expressing their views to their representatives.”

Participation in the Navy League’s annual Fly-In is open to all members, and provides an opportunity to directly support the nation’s sea services through advocacy. Preparation begins months in advance with weekly training sessions led by the national legislative affairs team, centered on the organization’s annual Maritime Policy Statement.