Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) have launched the bipartisan Congressional Creators Caucus, establishing a legislative framework to address the creator economy. The caucus aims to provide resources and protections for digital content creators operating as small businesses.
“The Creators Caucus hopes to bring better understanding to how these developing small businesses are operating, what struggles they face, and how Congress can work with them to foster growth, opportunity, safety, and security for our digital creators and their viewers alike,” Van Duyne said in a press release.
Clarke added, “As digital content creators’ online presence continues to reach billions globally, Congress must work to ensure resources and protections are in place to support their success in this new era of start-ups.”
Goldman Sachs projects the creator economy reaches a valuation of half a trillion dollars by 2027. The U.S. government currently maintains limited regulatory oversight or understanding of the creator economy, according to the source material.
Matthew Patrick and Stephanie Patrick, founders of digital production studio Theorist Media, spoke at the caucus launch event. The duo conducted over a year of lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill to advocate for creator needs. Patrick identified specific challenges creators face with tax classification and business recognition.
“We’re trying to educate lawmakers about what the creator economy is, and that it’s an actual job and that we are actually small businesses,” Patrick stated, noting that accountants question creator business status due to unclear tax form indicators.
The Patricks emphasized that creator businesses operate nationwide rather than exclusively in entertainment centers like New York City and Los Angeles. Theorist Media and MrBeast maintain North Carolina operations, while John and Hank Green’s educational media company Complexly operates from Indiana and Montana headquarters.
The policy initiative coincides with broader industry efforts to establish creator protections. The Creators Guild of America (CGA) recently released the “CGA Rider,” a standardized legal document addressing exploitative payment terms, content ownership disputes, and AI usage concerns after 18 months of development. The CGA also engages in conversations with Washington policymakers about federal-level creator protections.
Platform Companies Provide Caucus Support
Patreon and YouTube affirm their support for the Congressional Creators Caucus.
Patreon identified that creators often lack traditional business protections, including insurance, disaster relief, and loan access. Financial technology companies like Karat Financial emerge to address banking gaps for creators denied services by legacy financial institutions.
“Too often, creators are overlooked in economic policy conversations, despite being small business owners, job creators, & cultural leaders in every congressional district,” stated Courtney Duffy, Patreon’s Head of External Affairs and Strategic Engagement. “The bipartisan Congressional Creators Caucus signals growing recognition of creators’ impact, and a commitment to making sure creators have a say in the policies that shape their work and livelihoods.”
Alexandra Veitch, Senior Director of YouTube Government Affairs & Public Policy, added, “The creator economy is a powerful economic engine in the United States, making significant contributions to GDP and job growth. Creators are building businesses, growing audiences, and sharing their voices online.”
Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) have launched the bipartisan Congressional Creators Caucus, establishing a legislative framework to address the creator economy. The caucus aims to provide resources and protections for digital content creators operating as small businesses.
“The Creators Caucus hopes to bring better understanding to how these developing small businesses are operating, what struggles they face, and how Congress can work with them to foster growth, opportunity, safety, and security for our digital creators and their viewers alike,” Van Duyne said in a press release.
Clarke added, “As digital content creators’ online presence continues to reach billions globally, Congress must work to ensure resources and protections are in place to support their success in this new era of start-ups.”
Goldman Sachs projects the creator economy reaches a valuation of half a trillion dollars by 2027. The U.S. government currently maintains limited regulatory oversight or understanding of the creator economy, according to the source material.
Matthew Patrick and Stephanie Patrick, founders of digital production studio Theorist Media, spoke at the caucus launch event. The duo conducted over a year of lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill to advocate for creator needs. Patrick identified specific challenges creators face with tax classification and business recognition.
“We’re trying to educate lawmakers about what the creator economy is, and that it’s an actual job and that we are actually small businesses,” Patrick stated, noting that accountants question creator business status due to unclear tax form indicators.
The Patricks emphasized that creator businesses operate nationwide rather than exclusively in entertainment centers like New York City and Los Angeles. Theorist Media and MrBeast maintain North Carolina operations, while John and Hank Green’s educational media company Complexly operates from Indiana and Montana headquarters.
The policy initiative coincides with broader industry efforts to establish creator protections. The Creators Guild of America (CGA) recently released the “CGA Rider,” a standardized legal document addressing exploitative payment terms, content ownership disputes, and AI usage concerns after 18 months of development. The CGA also engages in conversations with Washington policymakers about federal-level creator protections.
Platform Companies Provide Caucus Support
Patreon and YouTube affirm their support for the Congressional Creators Caucus.
Patreon identified that creators often lack traditional business protections, including insurance, disaster relief, and loan access. Financial technology companies like Karat Financial emerge to address banking gaps for creators denied services by legacy financial institutions.
“Too often, creators are overlooked in economic policy conversations, despite being small business owners, job creators, & cultural leaders in every congressional district,” stated Courtney Duffy, Patreon’s Head of External Affairs and Strategic Engagement. “The bipartisan Congressional Creators Caucus signals growing recognition of creators’ impact, and a commitment to making sure creators have a say in the policies that shape their work and livelihoods.”
Alexandra Veitch, Senior Director of YouTube Government Affairs & Public Policy, added, “The creator economy is a powerful economic engine in the United States, making significant contributions to GDP and job growth. Creators are building businesses, growing audiences, and sharing their voices online.”