The 111th United States Congress convened on January 6, 2009 and will adjourn January 3, 2011. The 111th Congress consrises 541 elected officials from 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia. It is the federal legislature of the country which continues an unbroken chain dating back to the 1st Congress in 1789. The Senate has 100 members, and the House of Representatives has 435 members plus six non-voting delegates. According to the Office of the Clerk as of April 2010, there are 254 Democrats, 177 Republicans, and 5 vacancies in the House. There are 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, and 2 Independents in the Senate.

Military Service: The number of Members of Congress who have served in the United States armed forces is gradually decreasing. There were 167 veterans in the 107th Congress; 153 in the 108th Congress; 126 in the 110th Congress; and 121 (22%) of the current 111th Congress. Some members are currently serving as reservists.

Among the most notable combat veterans include Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), who served in World War II with the 442nd Infantry and is the only Member of Congress who holds the Medal of Honor. Senator Inouye and fellow Hawaii Senator Daniel Akaka are the last remaining World War II veterans in Congress.

Other notable veterans include Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who served in Vietnam as a naval aviator. He was captured and tortured as a prisoner of war in 1967. McCain was finally released in March 1973. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), a Marine Corps veteran, who served in Vietnam as platoon commander with Delta Company, 1st Battalion 5th Marines. He is a highly decorated Marine who also received two Purple Hearts.

Key Personnel: In the Senate, the majority leader is Harry Reid (D-Nev) and the minority leader is Mitch McConnell (R-Ky). In the House, the Speaker remains Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) with Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Majority Leader and John Boehner (R-Ohio), Minority Leader. The Chair of the House Armed Services Committee is Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) while the Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee is Carl Levin (D-MI)

Florida’s Members of Congress: Our senators are Bill Nelson (D-FL) and George Lemieux (R-FL). The state is represented in the House by 15 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Congratulations to the two returning Members of Congress from our surrounding districts: Ander Crenshaw (4th) and John Mica (7th), both Republicans. We are especially pleased about Mr. Crenshaw’s election because of his honorary membership in the Mayport chapter. It is a good idea to keep available the contact information for both members for when military-related issues arise.

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Selected MOAA Legislative Goals for 2009: Read the legislative goals contained in the following categories:

• Active / Reserve Force
• Health Care
• Retirement/Survivor
• Veterans and Family issues

MOAA Legislative Action Center: contains current legislative alerts. In addition to legislation of interest to MOAA and the military.

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