President Joe Biden has appointed Shuwanza Goff, a veteran congressional aide, as his new director of legislative affairs. Goff is the first Black woman to serve as the White House’s primary liaison to Capitol Hill.
Goff takes the baton from Louisa Terrell, stepping into a pivotal role for a president with over thirty years in Congress and strong ties to lawmakers. Goff’s decade-long career on Capitol Hill has helped her build robust relationships not only with Democrats but also with Republicans, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
In the announcement of Goff’s appointment, President Biden commended her as a “proven leader and trusted voice on both sides of the aisle”. She played a significant role in driving major legislative victories during Biden’s first two years in office, such as COVID-19 relief, a comprehensive climate, tax and health care package, and the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Before her tenure with the Biden administration, Goff was a high-ranking aide to Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and served as his floor director during his time in House Democratic leadership.
“Shuwanza’s strong relationship with my long-standing friends in Congress, coupled with her expertise, instincts, and deep respect for the U.S. Congress, will continue to benefit our administration and the American people,” stated President Biden.
Goff, 38, had previously been the White House’s deputy director of legislative affairs and House liaison, which made her the central intermediary to House lawmakers. She took a short detour to the private sector earlier this year before returning to the White House.
As she steps into her new role, Goff faces numerous immediate challenges. The upcoming weeks will see Congress wrestling with critical decisions such as reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, passing an extensive defence policy package, preventing a government shutdown, and managing various Senate confirmation battles. Amidst these legislative skirmishes, Goff’s task is to uphold Biden’s agenda while maintaining relations with a combative House Republican conference with starkly differing priorities. Those who know Goff are confident she’s well-prepared for these challenges.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy described Goff as a “friend and policy professional with experience and institutional knowledge of both the legislative and executive branch” and stated that the White House is fortunate to have her back.
During her time as Hoyer’s floor director, Goff was responsible for legislative activities in the House chamber, necessitating constant contact with Democratic and GOP leaders, the Senate, and the White House. She broke barriers as the first Black woman in that position.
Hoyer expressed immense joy over Goff’s appointment, remarking that her intelligence, credibility among Democrats and Republicans and straightforward approach will benefit President Biden in navigating upcoming challenges.
As the first Black woman to step into this position, Goff’s appointment is a testament to the Biden administration’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Her deep-rooted relationships with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle honed over her decade-long career on Capitol Hill, and her success in previous roles under the Biden administration presents an optimistic outlook for her tenure as the new director of legislative affairs. Goff’s ability to navigate through pressing legislative challenges while preserving the president’s agenda will play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s political landscape in the times to come.
