Who’s Who in Defense: Donald Norcross, Chairman, HASC’s Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee

By Catherine Macaulay on March 03, 2021 at 2:03 PM

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

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.