To close out a landmark year for the Congressional Inventions Project and the newly launched Congressional Inventions Caucus, we were thrilled to host Drawn to Innovate—a festive holiday lunch that brought together policymakers, innovators, and friends of invention for a creative break from the December rush.

The event welcomed more than 60 attendees, including staff from 31 Congressional offices, as well as representatives from CRS, IEEE, and other organizations committed to strengthening America’s innovation ecosystem.

Guests rotated through two hands-on stations designed to highlight the inventive spirit:

• A live caricature artist, capturing the creativity of the day; and
• A soldering station, where attendees learned the basics of circuitry and walked away with a small project of their own.

These activities weren’t just fun—they were reminders of the curiosity, experimentation, and hands-on problem-solving that lie at the heart of American innovation.

A highlight of the afternoon was remarks from Congressional Inventions Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Deborah Ross, who spoke about the importance of supporting inventors across the country and the direct impact innovation has on jobs, economic growth, and technological leadership—including in her own district.

As we look to 2026, the Congressional Inventions Project will continue working to elevate America’s inventors, celebrate their contributions, and strengthen the policies that enable breakthrough ideas to thrive.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make Drawn to Innovate a success. We look forward to an even bigger year ahead.