NGA Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations works to ensure that Governors’ views are represented in shaping federal policy by maintaining regular contact with congressional leaders and key administration officials, keeping up-to-date information on critical state–federal issues and coordinating state action.

We work closely with Governors’ Washington, D.C., office representatives, state-federal contacts and other state and local government organizations to maximize the effectiveness of NGA’s lobbying activities. Specifically, our staff serve as policy experts and liaisons to Congress and executive branch agencies and coordinate the work and policy activities of NGA committees.


Governors believe federal action should be limited to the powers expressly conveyed by the Constitution, to preserve state sovereignty in legislative and regulatory matters the Executive Committee has added the following bipartisan priorities:

  1. Enhancing emergency management;
  2. Streamlining permitting processes;
  3. Supporting flexibility and waiver opportunities and funding for state and territorial designed Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF;
  4. Ensuring the federal government meets its already committed obligations for federally funded projects across states, territories and Commonwealths.

Additional federal priorities have been developed by each of NGA’s Governor-led Task Forces and can be found on the Task Force pages below. The complete list of 2025 federal priorities can be found here.


NGA Task Forces & Council of Governors

Staff

  • Tiffany Waddell—Director of Government Relations
  • Renee Antoine—Legislative Director
  • Tim Carlton—Legislative Director
  • Richard Lukas—Legislative Director
  • Courtney Brinley—Legislative Associate
  • Abigail Smith Judstra—Legislative Associate
  • Mackenzi Matthews—Legislative Associate

Advocacy Communications Library

Hearing Statement - Tax Reform - State and Local Tax and Fiscal policy

Hearing Statement – Tax Reform – State and Local Tax and Fiscal policy

Chairman Baucus, Ranking Member Hatch, and members of the committee, the nation’s governors appreciate your interest in considering how federal ...
Testimony - REAL ID

Testimony – REAL ID

Chairman Sensenbrenner, Ranking Member Scott, distinguished members of the committee; my name is David Quam, Director of Federal Relations for ...
Hearing Statement - Marketplace Fairness Act

Hearing Statement – Marketplace Fairness Act

The National Governors Association (NGA) urges Congress to level the playing field between out-of-state and in-state retailers by authorizing states ...
Testimony - Governor Markell D Block

Testimony – Governor Markell D Block

Chairman Rockefeller, Ranking Member Hutchison and distinguished members of the committee, my name is Jack Markell, Governor of the state ...
Testimony - Senate Budget State Fiscal Situation

Testimony – Senate Budget State Fiscal Situation

Chairman Conrad, and members of the committee, on behalf of the nation’s governors, thank you for the opportunity to appear ...
Testimony - D Block Senate Commerce

Testimony – D Block Senate Commerce

On behalf of the nation’s governors, the National Governors Association (NGA) wishes to thank Chairman Rockefeller, Ranking Member Hutchison and ...
Testimony - Governor Douglas State Taxes

Testimony – Governor Douglas State Taxes

Chairman Cohen, Ranking Member Franks, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to testify today.  On behalf ...
Testimony - Children and Disasters

Testimony – Children and Disasters

Chairman Landrieu, Ranking Member Graham and distinguished members of the Committee, on behalf of the nation’s governors, thank you for ...
Testimony - Homeland Security Grants

Testimony – Homeland Security Grants

The National Governors Association (NGA) wishes to thank Chairman Cuellar, Ranking Member Rogers, and other distinguished members of the Subcommittee ...
Testimony - Safety Net Programs

Testimony – Safety Net Programs

On behalf of the nation’s governors, I would like to thank Chairman McDermott and the Ways and Means Subcommittee on ...
Testimony - Infrastructure

Testimony – Infrastructure

Chairwoman Norton, Ranking Member Diaz-Balart, and distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you ...
Testimony - Enhanced Rescission Authority

Testimony – Enhanced Rescission Authority

Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to appear before you today on behalf of the nation’s ...
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