WASHINGTON (April 21, 2026) — Today, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) released its third annual Congressional Innovation Scorecard, offering a comprehensive assessment of how every member of Congress engages with policies that shape America’s innovation ecosystem.
The Scorecard assigns each legislator a letter grade based on their record of supporting strong, predictable intellectual property (IP) protections that drive America’s innovation economy, national security, and economic growth. Members are scored on their votes, bill sponsorship and co-sponsorship, and leadership or advocacy on IP during the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses, as well as the first session of the 119th Congress.
“This year’s Scorecard identifies, and we celebrate, the lawmakers who are providing real leadership on innovation policy,” said Andrei Iancu and David Kappos, C4IP board co-chairs and former USPTO Directors. “However, the Scorecard also shows that broader engagement remains lacking across both chambers, and, once again, a majority of members received a grade of ‘C’ or below. This is a disconcerting trend considering IP-intensive industries underpin over 40% of the U.S. economy and support millions of jobs.”
In the Senate, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) earned ‘A+’ grades for their national leadership on IP. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Rick Scott (R-FL), Todd Young (R-IN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) also earned top marks for their strong records, all receiving an ‘A.’
In the House, Representatives Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Deborah Ross (D-NC) stood out, both earning an ‘A+’ for their meaningful engagement on pro-IP policies. Representatives Kevin Kiley (I-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), and Madeline Dean (D-PA) also distinguished themselves, each earning an ‘A’ grade.
New this year is an interactive version of the Scorecard. Designed as a user-friendly companion to the report, the tool allows policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public to visualize political and legislative activity on IP-related issues and drill down into the data most relevant to their specific districts or states.
“The Scorecard aims to turn transparency into accountability by putting every Member of Congress’ record at the public’s fingertips,” said Frank Cullen, C4IP executive director. “We urge every Member of Congress to treat IP policy with the urgency it deserves, and we call on constituents to use the new interactive tool to ensure their representatives are championing the innovation that drives our country forward.”
Want to find out how your member ranked?
- To view the interactive version of the 2026 Scorecard, click here.
- To view the PDF version of the 2026 Scorecard, click here.
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.