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Indiana 4th District Congressman Jim Baird (R-Greencastle) has been named co-chairman of the Congressional Research and Development (R&D) Caucus, a bipartisan group that advocates on behalf of continued U.S. leadership in research and development.

Baird will co-chair with Congressman Bill Foster (D-Ill.).

Primary caucus activities include hosting briefings to better inform members of Congress of accomplishments across the country in all sectors of the economy and academia.

“It is important to identify areas of research that are critical to advancement, so we can invest in initiatives that will move us forward,” Congressman Baird said.

“The advances we make in technology and development shape the world for future generations,” he continued, “and it is our duty to ensure that America remains at the forefront of innovation. In order to do that, the work of our scientists must be highlighted. It is a great privilege to share their progress and achievements with my colleagues as we support R&D nationwide.”

Congressman Foster concurred.

“Robust research and development are crucial in our efforts to confront some of the biggest challenges we face from combating the effects of climate change to fighting the opioid epidemic and discovering new treatments and cures for diseases,” Foster said. “Scientific research and development are also critical to our nation’s long-term economic success in an increasingly competitive global economy in which we must maintain a competitive advantage.”

Congressman Baird represents Putnam and 15 other counties in Indiana’s 4th Congressional District. A lifelong Hoosier, he serves as a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Congressman Foster first became co-chairman of the R&D Caucus in the 114th Congress. Prior to serving in Congress, he spent more than 20 years as a high-energy particle physicist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois.