Chairman—HASC’s Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee (TAL)

Rep. Donald Norcross, D-New Jersey

Responsibilities

Norcross chairs the 16-member HASC subcommittee that has primary jurisdiction over ammunition programs, Army and Air Force acquisition programs, all Navy and Marine Corps aviation programs, and Army and Air Force National Guard and Reserve.

Legislative Priorities/Positions

Sponsored the Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act of 2021; the Care Packages for Our Heroes Act of 2021; the BRAVE Act and; Veterans Freedom of Healthcare Act, among others.
Pushed for a new fleet of Boeing KC-46 refueling tankers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB-MDL), replacing the Air Force’s fleet of aging tankers. Lakehurst, the site of the Hindenburg dirigible crash of 1937, forms part of the mega-base, which is located in south-central New Jersey. The installation supports more than 45,000 active duty, guard, reserve, family members and civilian personnel and is an economic boon to the region. Although the facility lies outside Norcross’ legislative district, he actively promotes it, calling the five military bases in NJ strategic to natural security.
Helped draft the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020, which authorizes $3.5 billion for advanced job-training opportunities nationwide. The program is being administered jointly between the Department of Education and Department of Labor over a five-year period.

Quote

“As an electrician, I know firsthand that education and job training is not one size fits all. A Registered Apprenticeship Program shaped my life – laying the foundation for me to go from construction work to Congress.” – From Norcross’s website.

Committees/Political Caucuses

Parliamentarian of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee (117th Congress), which shapes and implements the party’s agenda.
Vice Chair for Labor—the Congressional Progressive Caucus (117th Congress). Co-founded the Labor Caucus of the United States (2020) to support labor unions.
Served on HASC since 2015. Also serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor, and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Political/Business Career

Served in the House since 2015. His district (D-1) encompasses Camden and Cherry Hill, NJ. Up for re-election in 2022.
New Jersey State Senator (2010-2014).
An electrician by trade, Norcross was a business agent for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 351, and president of the Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO.

Education

Personal

Born December 13, 1958. Grew up in South Jersey. Married to Andrea Doran, an echocardiographer. They live in Camden City. Three children and two grandchildren.

Responsibilities

Hartzler is Ranking Member of TAL—one of seven standing HASC subcommittees. TAL has oversight of acquisition programs for the Army and Air Force, and the tactical air assets for the Navy and Marines. Also oversees procurement for the National Guard and Reserves.

Legislative Priorities/Committees

A member of HASC and the House Committee on Agriculture since 2011. A former member of TAL (2011-2012).
Supports the agriculture sector, statewide and nationally. Sponsored the Flexible Financing for Rural America Act of 2020.
Promotes the interests of veterans, small businesses and the missions of: Fort Leonard Wood—an Army training installation in the Missouri Ozarks; and Whiteman Air Force Base—home to the B-2 Spirit bomber.
Led the effort to secure additional F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets for the Navy.
Supported the National Defense Authorization Act (FY21 budget), which includes $2.9 billion for the B-21 program, phasing out the B-2 at Whiteman AFB.
Championed the ban on transgender people enlisting in the military, which was recently repealed by President Biden.

Quote

“In order for America to project its dominance in the international system and safeguard the security of all Americans, we must keep modernizing our forces.” – Statement released July 2, 2020.

Political/Professional Career

Member of the House since 2011 representing District-4, which comprises 24 counties in West Central Missouri. Up for re-election in 2022.
Served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1995 to 2001 representing parts of Cass and Johnson counties (124th District).
Prior to her political career, Hartzler taught family and consumer sciences for 11 years in Missouri high schools (Lebanon and Belton school districts). Also coached track at Belton for six years. Served as co-director of a program for at-risk teens.

Education

Personal

Born Vicky Jo Zellmer on October 13, 1960, in Archie, Mo. Grew up on a farm in Cass County. Married to Lowell Hartzler. One daughter. They live on their farm in Harrisonville, MO. Owners of a farm-equipment business.