Lawmakers relaunch bipartisan Sneaker Caucus to help 'restore the sole of Congress'
At a time when many lawmakers have seemingly kicked bipartisanship to the curb, at least two shoe-crazed House members on opposite sides of the aisle are hoping a shared love of sneakers could help "restore the sole of Congress."
Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) are joining footwear forces to co-chair the Sneaker Caucus for the 119th Congress. The aim of the group — first founded by Moskowitz in 2023 — is for sneaker-loving lawmakers to "find common ground and foster bipartisan cooperation" via community events and social gatherings.
The caucus is kicking off its launch with a May 21 event on Capitol Hill: Sneaker Day.
The sneaker-centered celebration will double as a shoe drive. The Congressional Sneaker Caucus is partnering with the nonprofit organization Soles4Souls with a goal of collecting at least 50 pairs of donated shoes.
Hunt will be donating "one of his favorite pairs of Air Jordans" as part of the effort.
Moskowitz said in a statement on Tuesday that he was thrilled to put his "best foot forward" with Hunt as the caucus's new co-chair. The Senate confirmed the former Sneaker Caucus co-chair, ex-Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), as Labor secretary earlier this month.
"As Sneaker of the House, I’ve always said that sneakers play such a big role in America’s culture, economy, and fitness," Moskowitz said.
"Not only that, but I also believe that bonding over common interests like this one can start conversations that’ll help break down some of the partisanship we see on Capitol Hill," the wordplay-heavy statement said.
"I look forward to my colleagues and their staff joining us as we work together to restore the sole of Congress," Moskowitz, 44, said.
"Sneakers have become more than just footwear; they symbolize passion, history, and community," Hunt said in a statement, which praised basketball legend Michael Jordan.
"I look forward to championing the intersection of sports and culture to a bipartisan body in Congress on May 21st," Hunt, 43, added.
"It’s proof that there are still common passions that unite us."