NEW: Future Caucus to Honor Members of Congress and Young State Lawmakers for Bipartisan Problem-Solving

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2026

Future Caucus: Members of Congress, Young State Lawmakers Honored for Bipartisan Problem-Solving

Four champions of 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to receive bipartisanship prize, alongside Gen Z and millennial ‘Rising Stars’ from Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota

WASHINGTON – The Gen Z and millennial state lawmakers receiving the Rising Star Award and the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award have advanced bipartisan legislation in their states to address needs central to the lives of their constituents.
In this time of increasing polarization and uncertainty, Future Caucus is also presenting the Jacob K. Javits Prize for Bipartisan Leadership to Reps. French Hill, R-Ark., and Maxine Waters, D-Ca., and Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
These national and state champions of good governance will be honored on Monday, November 16, 2026 at 7 p.m. in Washington, D.C. Their collective work exemplifies the organization’s mission to transcend political polarization by advancing bipartisan policies focusing on critical issues for their constituents nationwide.
“These leaders remind us that politics doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game,” said Layla Zaidane, president and CEO of Future Caucus. “From bringing Republicans and Democrats together at the federal level, to building coalitions to tackle pressing challenges in their states, these lawmakers show what’s possible when we prioritize practical solutions.”
The ninth annual Rising Star Award honors North Dakota state Rep. Dawson Holle, R-Mandan, the youngest-ever chairman of North Dakota’s Missing Indigenous People Task Force, and Mississippi state Rep. Justis Gibbs, D-Jackson, the youngest African American member of the Mississippi Legislature. Holle works directly with tribal communities on long-neglected crises and helped keep a rural hospital and nursing home in his district open. Gibbs worked across the aisle to pass a bill protecting incarcerated workers from hazardous chemical exposure, the only corrections-related bill to become law in the 2026 session.
From South Dakota, state Sen. Brandon Wipf, R-Lake Byron, and state Rep. Kadyn Wittman, D-Sioux Falls, will receive the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award for their bipartisan collaboration to pass a free school lunch bill for 10,000 students. That effort included successfully forcing a Senate floor vote despite opposition from leadership in both chambers.
The four members of Congress being honored drove the coalition behind the most comprehensive bipartisan housing package in decades. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act makes homeownership more accessible by reducing regulatory barriers and expanding the housing supply. Given that mortgage rates are at their highest level in three years, potential homeowners need every possible advantage – and that’s exactly what H.R. 6644 provides. 
“More than ever,” said Zaidane, “people today are looking for results, not rhetoric. These lawmakers are showing the country what it looks like to move beyond political divisions and turn shared priorities into meaningful progress. Future Caucus is delighted to spotlight and celebrate their achievements.”
To request interviews with awardees or Layla Zaidane, please contact [email protected].
To learn more about the honorees and awards, click here.

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Future Caucus is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that empowers young elected officials in Congress and state legislatures to bridge the partisan divide and lead a new era of collaborative governance. By supporting innovative policymaking and fostering collaboration, we help Gen Z and millennial leaders drive positive change and promote a political culture rooted in empathy and solutions. To learn more, visit www.futurecaucus.org.