A group of Virginia state legislators have come out in support of Washington, D.C.’s professional football team, forming a “Redskins Pride Caucus,” the lawmakers announced Monday. The bipartisan group consisting of members of Virginia’s House of Delegates and Senate include 17 Republicans and five Democrats.

The group, which includes State Sen. Minority Leader Dick Saslaw (D) who represents the 35th District which includes the City of Falls Church, says it represents “professional football fans in the Commonwealth” and is based on these founding principles:

1) Providing a voice for Redskins fans and season tickets holders.

2) Supporting the Redskins franchise, a Virginia-based business that generates hundreds of millions of dollars in taxable revenue for schools, roads, public safety and other important public services in the Commonwealth.

3) Opposing the inappropriate involvement of the United States Congress in issues surrounding the Redskins franchise and its supporters.

4) Supporting commercial freedom in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the rights of businesses to their own brands and intellectual property.

Other area legislators in the caucus include State Sen. Chap Petersen (D) of Fairfax and Dels. Tim Hugo (R) and Dave Albo (R) of Fairfax.