Freshman lawmakers launch bipartisan 'Congressional Sneaker Caucus'

A pair of freshman lawmakers on Thursday announced the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Sneaker Caucus, which will include lawmakers who love athletic sneakers and appreciate their cultural prominence in the nation.

First term Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., and Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., announced the new House bloc as a form of ice-breaker to allow lawmakers from both parties to find common ground.

"The caucus will organize community events and social gatherings to promote interaction between members from both sides of the aisle," reads a press release from Chavez-DeRemer.

"The sneakers I wear across the Capitol are routinely a starting point for conversation with my colleagues. That’s exactly why I launched this Caucus – to use sneakers to promote social interaction between Members of Congress and their staff," Moskowitz said.

"I’m excited to join Congressman Moskowitz to launch the bipartisan Sneaker Caucus. From expressing style to demonstrating athleticism and innovation, sneakers are a fun part of our culture," Chavez-DeRemer said of the caucus. "It will be a light-hearted way to build relationships with other members of Congress and our constituents."

The announcement of the themed congressional caucus follows the creation of the House Bagel Caucus earlier this year. New York Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman in February hosted the inaugural meeting on National Bagels and Lox Day, "[a]fter it was brought to his attention that many of his colleagues do not know what a real bagel is," (emphasis original) according to a press release.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.