Gabbard to co-chair new Future Caucus

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, two of the youngest members of Congress, are forming a new bipartisan Future Caucus.

The Hawaii Democrat and Illinois Republican, both 32, hope the Future Caucus will channel a national discussion on technology and innovation to encourage economic growth. The Future Caucus will debut today with a panel event in Washington, D.C., with speakers on new media, technology and Internet startups.

Gabbard said by telephone from Washington on Tuesday that the caucus could be "a launching point to being able to really create an economy that encourages that kind of innovative thinking."

Gabbard, who ran for Congress last year as a more progressive alternative to former Hono­lulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, has moved closer to center in office.

In July, Gabbard took a leading role in No Labels, a bipartisan coalition that has sought to reduce government waste and inefficiency.

The congresswoman’s partnership with Schock on the Future Caucus is another attempt at bipartisanship in the politically fractured House.

"People’s perceptions of Congress is that it’s a dysfunctional place where people are unable to work together to find solutions," she said, adding that the caucus aims to encourage lawmakers to be less reactive in responding to challenges and problems and more inclined to think about long-term solutions.

Gabbard and Schock have proved adept at attracting national attention, both for their politics and their youthful good looks. Gabbard was featured this year in a Vanity Fair spread and has been a frequent guest on the cable news circuit. Schock, who was first elected in 2008, posed for the cover of Men’s Health in 2011, showing off a chiseled torso.