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
  • Alexis Howard—Legislative Associate
  • Abigail Smith Judstra—Legislative Associate
  • Mackenzi Matthews—Legislative Associate

Advocacy Communications Library

Testimony - Medicaid Reform

Testimony – Medicaid Reform

Good morning and thank you for once again inviting me to appear before the Commission. Reforming the Medicaid system - ...
Statement for the Record - Commission on the National Guard and Reserves

Statement for the Record – Commission on the National Guard and Reserves

The National Governors Association wishes to thank the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves for giving the nation's governors ...
Testimony - State Taxation of Interstate Telecommunications Services (David Quam)

Testimony – State Taxation of Interstate Telecommunications Services (David Quam)

Chairman Cannon, Ranking Member Watt, distinguished members of the committee, my name is David Quam and I am the Director ...
Testimony - Short-term Medicaid Reform (Ray Scheppach)

Testimony – Short-term Medicaid Reform (Ray Scheppach)

Governor Sundquist, Governor King and Members of the Commission, I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today on the ...
Testimony - Medicaid Reform (Energy and Commerce)

Testimony – Medicaid Reform (Energy and Commerce)

Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Thank you for requesting that we testify today on ...
Testimony - Medicaid Reform (Finance)

Testimony – Medicaid Reform (Finance)

Mr. Chairman, Senator Baucus and distinguished members of the Finance Committee. Thank you for requesting that we testify today on ...
Testimony - Communications

Testimony – Communications

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is David Quam, and I am the Director of Federal Relations ...
Testimony - Lifelong Education Opportunities (Governor Fletcher)

Testimony – Lifelong Education Opportunities (Governor Fletcher)

Good morning Chairman Enzi, Senator Kennedy, and members of the Committee. I am Ernie Fletcher, Governor of the Commonwealth of ...
Testimony - Lifelong Education Opportunities (Governor Sebelius)

Testimony – Lifelong Education Opportunities (Governor Sebelius)

Chairman Enzi, Senator Kennedy and members of the Committee, I am Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas, and ...
Testimony - Energy Legislation

Testimony – Energy Legislation

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, I am Frank Murkowski, Governor of the State of ...
Testimony - Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

Testimony – Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

Chairman McCain and Senator Hollings, on behalf of the states, thank you for this opportunity to testify on the U.S ...
Testimony - Military Parents Raising Children: The States' Response

Testimony – Military Parents Raising Children: The States’ Response

Mr. Chairman. On behalf of the National Governors Association (NGA), I want to express appreciation to you and ranking member, ...
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