U.S. Representatives Trent Franks (R–Ariz.), Barbara Lee (D–Calif.) and Jim McDermott (D–Wash.) are the three cochairs of the newly launched Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. The bipartisan group marks the first time we’ve seen both sides of the aisle come together formally to fight the disease. Even better news: The caucus recently added new members—including notable newcomer Jim Himes (D–Conn.).

Why do you need to know this? We need legislators to strongly defend health care and domestic and global HIV/AIDS funding and to ensure all people living with HIV in the United States and around the world get access to care. If Congress cuts AIDS spending, we feel the pain. The HIV/AIDS community has new friends up on the Hill poised to fight for us. Let’s be sure to support them in return. Look up the caucus online, scan the list of members and see if your representatives are on board. If so, call and thank them and communicate with them often. If they’re not, call them and tell them why they should join.