The U.S. Congress has created a new caucus for the purpose of keeping policy makers up to date on the importance of 21st-century skills education as students prepare for college and careers. The Congressional 21st Century Skills Caucus, along with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), will help the education system provide students with the knowledge and skills they will need to compete in a global economy that demands innovation.The initial briefing of the Caucus focused on the effects of media, social media, other new means of communication, global connections, and reliance on constantly evolving technologies on effective participation in democracy.