Frequently Asked Questions About the Research Caucus

What is a Caucus?

A caucus is a group of lawmakers sharing similar views or beliefs which works toward common legislative goals.  Membership in a caucus may be also based on party, geography, race, religion, foreign policy preference, agriculture, commerce, and other interests.   If you love politics, chances are there are a wide range of issues you are passionate about.  Members of Congress are the same way.  Although they belong to committees and subcommittees which often reflect the broad interests of their constituents, members also choose to supplement their committee-work with membership in caucuses. Then they are able to join with like-minded colleagues in a less-formal environment.  Caucuses also offer a forum for other specific issues or focused ideas not present in committee hearings.

What Does the Research Caucus Do?

The Congressional Research and Development (R&D) Caucus has an extremely important mission.  The demand for solutions to 21st Century problems places enormous pressure on policymakers.  Daily technological and scientific breakthroughs in medicine, public health, energy, international security, telecommunications, and IT must be communicated to Capitol Hill in order for members to properly formulate and evaluate science and technology policy.  The Research Caucus provides a forum for this exchange of ideas.  It targets the research community, the media, the public, Congressional membership and their staffs, and corresponding federal agencies.  Research and Development projects are expensive, so the Research Caucus ensures that funding is allocated wisely and that resources are balanced between basic and applied research and balanced among the physical and medical sciences and engineering.

What is the Role of the Research Caucus Advisory Committee?

The Advisory Committee is the Research Caucus outreach arm. It is comprised of public interest and private sector organizations from the science, engineering, technology and educational sectors dedicated to informing Congress and the public on important national and global issues regarding research and development affecting the United States.  The Advisory Committee allows scientists, engineers, researchers, and inventors to conduct presentations on state-of-the-art scientific findings and technological innovations.  It serves as a liaison to the media, the public and e-publishes the Research Caucus Alert.

How Can I Learn More About the Research Caucus?

Sign Up to receive Research Caucus Alert

Contact Kathryn Holmes at holmesk@asme.org or Bill Williams at bill.williams@ieee.org to get on the mailing list.

Research Caucus Alert will keep you updated on all the developments in the Research Caucus.  We will invite you to important presentations and briefings and summarize scientific findings so you will know science and technology news before it hits the streets.  We pass along scientific findings and funding trends that affect decisions in your congressional office or agency.