The Congressional Inventions Caucus (CIC) supports creators, inventors, and innovators by educating the public and policymakers about pertinent issues and challenges. We strive to bridge this knowledge gap through events, briefings, and direct interactions with individuals at the forefront of innovation.
The bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Inventions Caucus was formed in 2015 to educate Members of Congress and their staffs about the challenges of invention and innovation. The caucus has served as a forum for education about invention, inventors, and closely ass
ociated aspects, such as legal, financial, business, and strategic issues involved in moving an idea from research and development to commercialization and market entry. Activities have focused on specific subjects in settings where caucus members and staff interact with an expert or have given caucus members a platform to speak about innovation.
From 2015 to 2019, an outside advisory committee arranged and convened events on Capitol Hill and around the country, including “The Power of Inventing” events at the Kauffman Foundation, Clemson University, and Arizona State University. Also, caucus leaders have taken initiatives to highlight National Inventors Month and similar occasions. The caucus went dormant during the COVID pandemic. In 2024, efforts began to revive the Inventions Caucus.
Co-chairs of the caucus are Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) and Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC), as well as Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE). Reps. Susie Lee (D-NV), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Andrea Salinas (D-OR) serve on the caucus as well.