futurecaucus.org [futurecaucus.org]
Dear John,
Across the country, something remarkable is happening.
While headlines dwell on dysfunction, a new generation of lawmakers is rewriting the story — one policy, one partnership, and one courageous conversation at a time.
From legislative chambers to late-night softball games, young leaders in the Future Caucus network are stepping up to the plate: listening deeply, governing boldly, and proving that collaboration isn't a compromise — it's a strength.
These aren’t just updates. They’re snapshots of a movement that’s gaining momentum — take a look back with us.
Future Caucus Visits Capitol Hill
Last week, Layla and members of the Future Caucus team climbed the Hill for an on-the-record conversation with Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) about what made him one of the most effective congressional members in his first term, what he's learned about lawmaking from being a parent of four, and the role of Future Caucus in supporting young lawmakers who crave a "third space" for cross-partisan collaboration and creative thinking.
Stay tuned for some exciting content with Rep. Moore!
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Watch: A Different Kind of Dialogue
The second installment of our video series, Lawmakers on Lawmakers [[link removed]] , is officially live on YouTube!
This episode features Kansas and Pennsylvania Future Caucus Co-Chairs — Senator Tory Blew (R-KS) and Representative Justin Fleming (D-PA) — as they sit down for a candid conversation. From redistricting reform to navigating the double standards working parents face, these two leaders share what shapes their service and drives their priorities.
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This isn’t another political debate between ideological rivals — it’s a powerful window into the real lives and lived experiences of young lawmakers shaping our democracy from the ground up.
🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube [[link removed]] — and don’t miss their must-have campaign trail snacks!
Young Leaders Driving Digital Policy Reform
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-- Asm. Alex Bores (D-NY) and Del. Kayla Young (D-WV) are collaborating on AI governance, with West Virginia launching the first state legislative committee on AI — led entirely by millennial lawmakers.
-- Sen. Daniel Zolnikov (R-MT) has spearheaded groundbreaking privacy laws, including protections for genetic data and minors online, positioning Montana as a national leader in digital rights.
-- Rep. Doug Fiefia (R-UT) introduced and passed the Utah Digital Choice Act, targeting algorithmic manipulation and empowering consumers to reclaim control of their digital lives.
These efforts reflect the growing influence of young legislators who are working across party lines to address urgent technology issues. Their approach is marked by humility, urgency, and a commitment to collaboration — showing that progress is possible when innovation meets unity.
Read more in the Young Lawmakers' Storybank [[link removed]]
Deepening Connections and Friendly Competition
From the Capitol to the softball field, young lawmakers are finding creative ways to build trust, connection, and common ground — not just within their chambers, but across state lines.
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In Alabama, legislators from the Alabama and Mississippi state legislatures laced up their cleats for the annual Battle of Tombigbee — a spirited charity softball game that brings bipartisan fun and friendly competition to the field. But beyond the scoreboard, the event was a celebration of shared commitment, collaboration, and public service rooted in community.
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Up in Massachusetts, the energy was just as strong. At the State Capitol, Co-Chairs Representative Shirley Arriaga (D-MA) and Representative Marcus Vaughn (R-MA) welcomed colleagues to an introductory meeting of the Massachusetts Future Caucus — laying the foundation for a space where young legislators can lead boldly and collaboratively. The evening didn’t end there: lawmakers gathered at Bell in Hand, America’s oldest bar, to toast to a new chapter and connect beyond the chamber walls.
Moments like these are about more than camaraderie — they’re about strengthening the relationships that power real impact.
Fellowship in Action: Real Issues, Real Solutions
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What does it mean to truly serve the people? Civic Innovation Fellows explored that question through the lens of oversight and participatory democracy. In a thoughtful session with Ben Eikey of the Levin Center, lawmakers reflected on the often-overlooked responsibilities of legislative oversight — and the powerful role it plays in ensuring accountability.
Then, Marjan Ehsassi of the Federation for Innovation in Democracy (FIDE) introduced lawmakers to citizens’ assemblies: a bold, deliberative model for elevating community voices in policymaking. The conversation left fellows with not just ideas, but inspiration — and a deeper understanding of how to use their positions to build trust and strengthen democracy from the inside out.
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When it comes to transforming our criminal justice system, the data tells a story — but only if we know how to read it. Criminal Justice Fellows sat down with experts from Recidiviz and NYU’s Policing Project to unpack how data is collected, interpreted, and used to shape policy.
Together, they explored not only the technical mechanics behind the numbers, but also the human impact hidden within them — from patterns of incarceration to gaps in public safety. The session challenged lawmakers to think critically about the data systems in their own states and sparked new conversations about how evidence-based policymaking can drive smarter, more just reforms.
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Our Energy & Environment Fellows took a closer look at one of the most promising innovations in clean energy policy: microgrids. Far from just a technical solution, microgrids represent a shift toward more resilient, reliable, and localized energy systems — an area ripe for bipartisan collaboration.
With Cole Triedman of Think Microgrid and Michael Liebman of the Rocky Mountain Institute guiding the conversation, lawmakers explored how microgrids can strengthen communities in the face of climate change, natural disasters, and aging infrastructure. The session left fellows energized and equipped with new ideas for shaping the next generation of energy policy — rooted in innovation, practicality, and partnership.
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Our Prenatal-to-Three Fellows turned their attention to the people who play a vital role in shaping the earliest stages of life: the perinatal workforce. From doulas and midwives to certified nurse-midwives, these professionals are often the steady hands and trusted guides supporting families through birth and beyond.
With insights from experts at Start Early and Birth Detroit — who welcomed our Maternal Health Fellows during their 2024 experiential learning trip — the conversation grounded lawmakers in the human realities behind maternal and infant health policy. As they consider how to support families and the youngest generation, fellows walked away with a deeper appreciation for the people powering this essential care and the policy levers that can help them thrive.
Showing up with Intention
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During their latest meeting, members of the 19th Collective came together for a powerful conversation about authenticity, leadership, and personal branding. Joined by Madeline Fetterly, founder of Be the Brand Collective, the group explored what it means to lead with intention — not just in the public eye, but in everyday choices, relationships, and representation.
Drawing on her experience guiding women in both political and corporate spaces, Madeline offered a roadmap for building a values-driven brand that reflects both who you are and what you stand for. It wasn’t just a branding workshop — it was a moment of reflection on how young women lawmakers can show up with confidence and purpose in every room they enter.
Rebuilding Trust in a Divided Time: The Aspen Institute's Trust in Practice Summit and the One America Summit
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Our Chief Strategy and Public Affairs Officer, Reed Howard, represented Future Caucus at the Aspen Institute’s Trust in Practice Summit in Chicago. In a moment when only 44% of Americans say they trust most people in their neighborhood—and 1 in 8 adults report having no close friends—conversations about rebuilding trust are more urgent than ever.
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Our Chief Operating Officer, Rochelle Coburn, joined a panel at the One America Movement Summit titled “Who Do We Trust? Fostering Trust in Institutions in an Era of Division" to share how young lawmakers are working across the aisle and across the country to restore trust in governance — not through rhetoric, but through relationships.
By equipping young lawmakers to lead with principle and pragmatism, and to work across lines of difference, we’re helping to restore faith in our institutions from the ground up. We’re grateful to The Alliance for Social Trust, Allstate, The Aspen Institute, and the One America Movement for convening around this important dialogue—and for reminding us that trust isn’t just a concept, it’s a practice.
Leadership and Momentum: Child Care Aware of America Symposium
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At the Child Care Aware of America Symposium on May 4, our President & CEO Layla Zaidane sat down with CCAoA CEO Susan Gale Perry for a fireside chat about leadership, policy, and making real impact. Layla shared how young lawmakers are showing up differently, bringing fresh energy to and driving momentum on issues like child care, an area of focus for lawmakers in the Future Caucus network across the political spectrum.
Team Announcements
Future Caucus is growing!
The Future Caucus team is growing and evolving to better serve the needs of our network of legislators! We are pleased to announce the following additions to our team.
Amos Rothstein, Director of Membership
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Over the past two decades, Amos has been involved in nearly every election cycle and at various levels of political campaigns. Amos managed two successful congressional campaigns and has spent time working on Capitol Hill. He later served as Director of Tracking Operations for the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2018 and as Executive Director of the Idaho Republican Party in 2020. He has also held senior leadership roles across the business, policy, and democracy reform sectors.
Xavier Lopez, Senior Manager of Membership
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Xavier most recently worked as the Investor Relations Associate at New Profit, a philanthropic organization committed to catalyzing the impact of social entrepreneurs and high-impact organizations that are expanding access and opportunity in America.
He also served as the State Organizing Committee Chair and National Liaison for Texas with the Country First PAC, focused on overcoming toxic partisanship with a proven-solutions-oriented approach in America, as well as serving as a member of the Alumni Advisory board for Up to Us/ Net Impact.
"As Seen on Social Media"
Ever wonder what a day in the life of a state legislator really looks like? Step inside the Kansas State Capitol with Rep. Jo Ella Hoye [[link removed]] , a dedicated member of the 19th Collective. From early morning meetings to late-night votes, she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to serve her community — and how she balances it all with purpose and poise.
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Delegate Stuart Schmidt [[link removed]] takes us behind the scenes of bill signing day in the Maryland House of Delegates — offering insight into the personal story from his district that became the catalyst for this bill. Together with the Senator from his district, he transformed that story into legislation with real impact.
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Must Reads
— From Albany to Montgomery, young lawmakers are quietly reshaping politics through trust, collaboration, and real results. We saw it first-hand, state-by-state as we traveled across the U.S. to meet with legislators across our network. [[link removed]]
— Two young lawmakers, one big breakthrough [[link removed]] : a bipartisan duo in Arkansas turned a bold idea into a landmark win for maternal and infant health for their state — and they’re just getting started.
Read the Young Lawmakers' Storybank [[link removed]]
We can't do this work without you. Support young lawmakers in their efforts to bridge the partisan divide and donate today! [[link removed]]
Donate [[link removed]]
Contact Us
[email protected]
Future Caucus
1701 Rhode Island Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States
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