Unfortunately, of all the services, the USMC is the one that least "foots the bill", since most of its expensive kit is on the Navy procurement budget. For example, the Commandant doesn't have to choose among F-35Bs and ships, and the Marines are replacing CH-46s one-for-one with the far more costly V-22.
However, the Marines have learned well from pro-life groups, the NRA and teachers' unions: Single-issue lobbying is a powerful weapon.