Former YouTuber MatPat launches Creator Economy Caucus in US House to advocate for digital entrepreneurs

YouTube creator-turned-digital creator advocate Matthew Patrick—better known online as MatPat—has taken his efforts to Capitol Hill.

Patrick and his wife, Stephanie Patrick, officially launched the Creator Economy Caucus this week in the House of Representatives, a bipartisan group thats focused on connecting lawmakers with digital creators. 

“New quest: Washington DC!” Patrick wrote. “After two years of work, Steph and I have just launched the Creator Economy Caucus in the House of Representatives, a bipartisan group where creators can work alongside lawmakers to ensure legislation is timely and relevant for the Internet age.”

The caucus has already gained the support of about 10 members of Congress and is intended to serve as a direct channel between policymakers and online creators.

At a press conference marking the launch, Patrick laid out key policy goals for the caucus: promoting online privacy protections, developing ethical standards around artificial intelligence, increasing algorithmic transparency, and improving child safety online. He also stressed the need to clarify tax regulations for digital creators and expand access to small business resources. “These aren’t flashy topics,” Patrick said, “but they’re critical to the survival of this budding ecosystem.”

Patrick and his wife co-founded Theorist Media, a digital studio best known for the YouTube channels Game Theory, Film Theory, and Food Theory.Over the past year, the Patricks have quietly built support for the caucus by meeting with lawmakers and advocating for the creator economy as a legitimate  and growing industry. “We’re trying to educate lawmakers about what the creator economy is, and that it’s an actual job,” Patrick told TechCrunch in an earlier interview. “Even when you talk to accountants, they’re like, well, are you though? Because there’s not a clear indicator on tax forms — like, what is a creator business?”

The creator economy—made up of independent digital entrepreneurs on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Patreon—is estimated to include over 50 million people globally, with many operating as small businesses without the same legal recognition or protections as traditional companies. According to a report from Goldman Sachs, the creator economy could be worth half a trillion dollars by 2027.

Major platforms, including Patreon and YouTube, have shown their support for the Creator Economy Caucus. Patrick says the next step will be to involve more creators in the conversation and give them a voice in how relevant laws are shaped. “We want to make sure that legislation reflects the reality of how people live and work today,” he said. “And that includes millions of Americans who rely on the internet for their livelihood.”

The caucus will continue recruiting lawmakers and is expected to begin hosting briefings and listening sessions in the coming months, Patrick told TechCrunch.