U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D–Calif.), Jim McDermott (D–Wash.) and Trent Franks (R–Ariz.) have launched the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus as co-chairs. The bipartisan caucus will examine how the United States can maintain a global leadership role in the response to HIV/AIDS nationwide and across the world. The caucus seeks to galvanize leadership for the International AIDS Conference to be held in 2012 in Washington, DC. The caucus currently has 50 members.