YouTube creator Matthew “MatPat” Patrick has officially stepped into the political arena, launching the bipartisan Creator Economy Caucus in the House of Representatives alongside his wife, Stephanie Patrick. The caucus aims to bridge the gap between lawmakers and digital content creators by advocating for policy that reflects the modern realities of online entrepreneurship.
“New quest: Washington DC!” MatPat wrote, announcing the culmination of two years of work to establish the caucus. So far, the initiative has attracted support from about 10 members of Congress and is set to serve as a direct communication channel between creators and Capitol Hill.
At the caucus launch, Patrick outlined a legislative agenda focused on privacy protections, AI ethics, algorithm transparency, and child online safety. He also emphasized the need for clearer tax regulations and greater access to small business resources for creators. “These aren’t flashy topics,” he said, “but they’re critical to the survival of this budding ecosystem.”
Patrick and his wife co-founded Theorist Media, the company behind YouTube hits like Game Theory, Film Theory, and Food Theory. In recent years, they’ve shifted some focus to championing the growing creator economy—an industry expected to hit $500 billion by 2027, according to Goldman Sachs.
MatPat said the biggest challenge has been explaining to lawmakers and even accountants that content creation is a legitimate profession. “There’s not a clear indicator on tax forms — like, what is a creator business?” he told TechCrunch.
With backing from platforms like YouTube and Patreon, the caucus plans to expand its reach, host briefings, and increase creator involvement in shaping internet-age policy. “We want to make sure that legislation reflects the reality of how people live and work today,” Patrick said.
