Credit: Ted Lieu
A bipartisan Congressional Songwriters Caucus was reformed, with a focus on policies to support independent songwriters and protect intellectual property.
Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) newly created the caucus and will serve as co-chairs. To celebrate the event, both congressmen welcomed songwriters and songwriter advocacy groups to Capitol Hill. There they heard the songs of the singer-songwriters and listened to their concerns.
“My area in Southern California is home to many talented songwriters whose work contributes so much to our culture and society,” adds Representative Lieu. “I am thrilled to join Congressman Ben Cline in co-chairing the new bipartisan Congressional Songwriters’ Caucus, which will work to support America’s brilliant songwriters by ensuring they protect their work and make a living from it.” can do what they love.”
“Music contributes so much to our lifestyle and we need to make sure those who create it are given proper compensation. I am grateful to the many songwriting advocacy groups who have worked with us to create this caucus and look forward to working together to support our artists.”
“Making art, especially music, is a powerful way to make a mark on the world.” continues Rep. Cline. “It’s a part of our everyday lives, from what we listen to in the morning on the way to work to the music we choose for our most important life events like birthdays, weddings and funerals.”
“But today’s modern music landscape can make it harder for certain artists, particularly independent songwriters, to make a living. That’s why I’m proud to be co-chair of the Congressional Songwriters Caucus, which will play an important role in nurturing the songwriting community by advocating to protect songwriters’ creative rights.”
“We applaud Reps Cline and Lieu for leading the Congressional Songwriters Caucus and are excited to be getting it started,” added David Israelite, President and CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA). “NMPA is the premier advocate for music publishers and their songwriting partners, and we look forward to working with the Caucus to advance political interests that protect creators and ensure songwriters thrive.”