September is prime time for appropriations negotiations. While the Senate voted 91-7 to begin consideration of its bipartisan spending bills for FY 2024, so far the House has been unable to come to an agreement on their spending packages, raising the likelihood of a government shutdown after September 30. While these appropriations discussions are taking…

When the U.S. Congress suspended in-person constituent meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, advocacy groups and organizations were forced to adopt and strengthen digital forms of communication and lobbying strategies.  For many, this adjustment also involved a crucial decision: either accept that advocates would not be able to meet in Washington, D.C. or pivot to virtual…

Last month, we had the opportunity to network with—and learn from—advocacy, government relations, public relations and communications professionals from across the country at the Public Affairs Council’s 2023 Advocacy Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Kicking off with a keynote speech from Sally Susman, chief corporate affairs officer at Pfizer, about the lessons she learned from the fast-paced, world-changing…

Health Policy in the Omnibus The 117th Congress ended late December 2022 with the passage of a massive $1.7 trillion Omnibus spending package to fund the federal government through Fiscal Year 2023 which ends on September 30, 2023. The major health care federal agencies received increased funding for key initiatives, like improving maternal health, fighting the…