Every lawmaker from local councilperson to US Senator knows a printer – these elected officials print signs and direct mail to campaign, after all! – but few have been exposed to the full diversity and depth of the commercial printing industry, not to mention the industry’s economic output, environmental sustainability efforts, and societal contributions.

That’s about to change in the US Congress as the first-of-its-kind bipartisan Congressional Printing Caucus has been launched to focus on advancing a public policy agenda that benefits and protects America’s printing industry and its rich, diverse, and varied communities. The Caucus will help educate policymakers and connect the dots for them on the printing industry’s importance.

It’s exciting news, but even more exciting is the fact that two of the four co-chairs of the newly announced Caucus are women. One even has direct experience working in a family-owned printing company.

Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-5) join Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI-2) and Jared Golden (D-ME-2) in serving as co-chairs. Both spoke to their interest in elevating the printing industry in a recent press release, stating:

“As the former owner and publisher of the Mid-York Press, a local commercial printing and manufacturing firm, I understand how the importance of print media and its impact on our communities and local businesses,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues in promoting the value of printing and its role in fostering an informed public. Together, we’ll work to support the printing industry, and make sure it has a voice here in Congress.”

“I’m excited to serve as a co-chair of the new Congressional Printing Caucus, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to empower professionals in the printing industry,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

Tenney and Chavez-DeRemer join an influential roster of bipartisan women lawmakers in the Senate who have led and joined the Senate Paper and Packaging Caucus, a similar organization focused on highlighting the importance and economic significance of the paper and packaging industry.

Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tina Smith (D-MN) are all members of that Caucus. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) co-chairs the group.

Both Caucuses provide the Alliance regular opportunities to educate a core group of lawmakers and their staff about the issues, legislation, and regulations that have a potential effect on the printing industry, as well as industry-focused diversity, inclusion & equity initiatives like Women in Print Alliance.