“On the Edge of Shutdown: Shuwanza Goff Steers the Biden-Congress Liaison

As Congress and the Biden Administration grapple over the necessary spending to battle the economic woes brought on by the pandemic, a new face has stepped in to challenge one of the most pressing issues of our time. Shuwanza Goff has recently been hired as the new Congress Liaison to the White House. She has been tasked with helping to bridge the increasingly wide gap between the two sides on the issue of the looming government shutdown. An experienced political strategist and policy expert, Ms. Goff comes with a distinguished resume having served a number of roles in previous administrations, both Republican and Democratic, and in prominent positions such as the Legislative Affairs Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Legislative Director at the Office of Senator Tim Kaine. Ms. Goff’s appointment comes at an especially critical time for the Biden Administration as its fiscal year 2021 budget and appropriations legislation are pending before Congress. Many fear that the government could enter a partial shutdown unless an agreement is reached as soon as possible between the two sides. With the help of Ms. Goff’s leadership and her keen understanding of the budgeting and appropriations process, there is hope that agreements can be made sooner rather than later. Her extensive experience as a negotiator and her close relationships with both Houses of Congress are important assets in helping to reach a tactical solution. Her primary role as the new Congressional Liaison is to provide a direct line of communication between the White House and Congress, enabling the two sides to find common ground and address the pressing issues without getting into politically charged rhetoric. Ms. Goff will also be recommending policy initiatives to resolve contentious areas of disagreement. The challenge that Shuwanza Goff faces is significant, however, the future of not only our economy but of Americans everywhere depends on a successful and timely resolution.