Peter Schorsch
U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is reconstituting the bipartisan Congressional Sneaker Caucus, a group that transcends party lines through a love of snazzy kicks.
Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, is relaunching the group with Texas Republican U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. The two will serve as Co-Chairs of the caucus and will hold the third “Sneaker Day on the Hill” on May 21.
“I am thrilled to be putting my best foot forward with my new co-chair, Rep. Hunt, as we re-introduce the Congressional Sneaker Caucus for the 119th Congress,” Moskowitz said.
“As Sneaker of the House, I’ve always said that sneakers play such a big role in America’s culture, economy, and fitness. 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. I look forward to my colleagues and their staff joining us as we work together to restore the sole of Congress.”
Moskowitz first launched the Sneaker Caucus in the 118th Congress in 2023 with then-U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer with the goal of finding common ground and fostering bipartisan cooperation on Capitol Hill. With Chavez-DeRemer now out of Congress, Hunt said he’s happy to foot the leadership role.
“I am incredibly excited to serve as a co-chair of the Sneaker Caucus. I grew up in an era where we witnessed the greatest basketball player of all time, and the cultural phenomenon that followed,” Hunt said.
“Michael Jordan represented excellence, elite talent, and the relentless pursuit of greatness — values that inspired an entire generation of Americans. Sneakers have become more than just footwear; they symbolize passion, history, and community. I look forward to championing the intersection of sports and culture to a bipartisan body in Congress on May 21st. It’s proof that there are still common passions that unite us.”
Joining Moskowitz and Hunt in the caucus are members from Florida, including Democratic U.S. Reps. Maxwell Frost, Darren Soto and Frederica Wilson, as well as Republican U.S. Reps. Laurel Lee and Anna Paulina Luna.
The caucus mission is “to be a means by which its members and staff can find common ground and foster bipartisan cooperation” by organizing “community events and social gatherings to promote interaction between members from both sides of the aisle.”
“Shoes impact every single American individual and family no matter their background,” Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America CEO Matt Priest said when the caucus was first launched.
“Sneakers also play a critical role in shaping our culture, art, entertainment, health, and fitness. There are so many things that seem to divide us as a country right now, but sneakers bring people together. We look forward to working with the Sneaker Caucus as it highlights the love of sneakers shared by so many Americans.”
The group has a landing page on its website describing the caucus, including a notation that it is “not focused on legislative issues,” rather “as a tool to strengthen ties in a fun way.”
Most recently, the Sneaker Caucus hosted its 2nd Sneaker Day last June, including a roundtable discussion on innovation, footwear design, education and more.
The 2023 event featured an invitation for members to wear their best pair of sneakers, with a contest awarding the most stylish.
