WASHINGTON (April 22, 2026) — Yesterday, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) hosted a reception to recognize and celebrate its inaugural Champions of Innovation Award recipients.
Intellectual property (IP) is a cornerstone of America’s innovation economy, enabling creators and businesses to bring new ideas to market and compete globally. As innovation accelerates, continued engagement from policymakers is critical to maintaining strong IP protections that support economic growth and American competitiveness.
Sixteen members of Congress were recognized as Champions of Innovation for their robust and ongoing bipartisan support of American ingenuity, IP, and our nation’s innovation ecosystem.
This year’s Champions of Innovation are:
- Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Senator Ted Budd (R-NC)
- Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
- Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)
- Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)
- Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
- Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA)
- Senator Rick Scott (R-FL)
- Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
- Senator Todd Young (R-IN)
- Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA)
- Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA)
- Representative Kevin Kiley (I-CA)
- Representative Nathaniel Moran (R-TX)
- Representative Scott Peters (D-CA)
- Representative Deborah Ross (D-NC)
“C4IP is proud to recognize these lawmakers for their leadership on policy initiatives that underpin the U.S. innovation ecosystem,” said David Kappos, board co-chair of C4IP and former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director from 2009 to 2013. “These efforts are vital to supporting long-term economic growth and job creation in the United States.”
“This year’s Champions of Innovation understand that strong intellectual property protections are foundational to U.S. competitiveness and America’s position as a global innovation leader,” said Andrei Iancu, board co-chair of C4IP and former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director from 2018 to 2021. “Their leadership will be critical to sustaining America’s innovative edge in the years ahead.”
C4IP thanks this year’s recipients for their continued commitment to protecting the intellectual property rights that power innovation and improve lives worldwide.
About the Council for Innovation Promotion: The Council for Innovation Promotion is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that drive innovation, boost economic competitiveness, and improve lives everywhere.