Federal Government Relations

Welcome to 2016 and our annual look at what’s in store for the United States Congress in the coming year. Here you will find a preview of the US legislative agenda as well as a look at the Obama Administration’s regulatory plans.

Earlier today, my colleagues at ML Strategies published the Washington Outlook for 2016, offering their insights about what we might expect from Capitol Hill and the Administration in the coming year.

My colleagues Alex Hecht and Neal Martin of ML Strategies have published an update on legislative efforts to continue the EB-5 Regional Center Program: EB-5 Regional Center Program Update: As Deadline for Expiration Approaches, Congressional Action Likely.

My colleagues Alex Hecht and Neal Martin of ML Strategies have published an update on legislative efforts to continue the EB-5 Regional Center Program: EB-5 Regional Center Program Update: As Deadline for Expiration Approaches, Congressional Action Likely.

Now just days away from the December 11th expiration of a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) that has been funding federal activities since the start of the current fiscal year on October 1st, Congress is feverishly working to reach agreement on a long-term Omnibus spending bill that will fund the federal government through the remainder of the fiscal year.

Coinciding with the end of the current fiscal year, the EB-5 regional center program is set to expire today but will get a temporary reprieve with expected final passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will fund the government through December 11 and also temporarily extend the regional center program through that same date.  

Coinciding with the end of the government's fiscal year, the EB-5 regional center program is set to expire today. However, it will get a temporary reprieve with expected final passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will fund the government through December 11 and also temporarily extend the regional center program through that same date.

Earlier this week, ML Strategies posted its weekly Health Care Update. This publication provides timely information on implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Congressional initiatives affecting the health care industry, and federal and state health regulatory developments.

An alert by Douglas Hauer, Member, Alexander Hecht, ML Strategies - Vice President of Government Relations, and R. Neal Martin, ML Strategies - Senior Manager of Government Relations, details proposed legislative reforms to the Immigrant Investor Program, more commonly known as the "EB-5 Program."

Created by the Immigration Act of 1990, the Immigrant Investor Program, more commonly referred to as the EB-5 program, offers foreign investors an opportunity to secure permanent residency in the United States by making a minimum capital investment of $1 million per investor into a New Commercial Enterprise (NCE) that will create at least 10 jobs for US workers.

The first energy bill of the 114th Congress is heading toward the President’s desk for signature.

Congress returns from the Presidents’ Day recess, and energy and climate issues will heat up again this work period as Congress sends the Keystone XL pipeline legislation to President Obama.

In response to a number of foreign policy crises encountered over the past few years, the Obama Administration has sought a new and more aggressive approach to using sanctions to advance US global security goals.

Energy and environment debates are heated in Washington this week, as the Senate continues negotiations over the Keystone XL pipeline and Congressional tax reform debates get underway.

Energy and environment debates are alive and well in Washington this week, as the Senate begins negotiations over the Keystone XL pipeline and policy-makers react to Tuesday night's State of the Union address from President Obama. Click here to see ML Strategies' full update on all things energy and environment in Washington this week.

The 114th Congress and the final two years of the Obama Administration include a full energy and environment agenda. With some new energy and environment leadership on the relevant Congressional committees, chairs and ranking members are beginning to lay out their priorities for the next two years.

Congress returns for the 114th session January 6, and efforts are underway to prepare for an eventful two years on Capitol Hill as well as the final two years of the Obama Administration.

The 113th Congress adjourned sine die last week, and efforts are underway to prepare for an eventful 114th Congress and final two years of the Obama Administration.

Energy and environmental issues abounded on the congressional as well as international fronts last week, and they will continue to play a prominent role in the last couple of weeks of 2014.