Speaker Kevin McCarthy: ‘It was my privilege to get to know Shuwanza during her time in the House of Representatives…Both the House and the White House benefited from her intellect, hard work and dedication’
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries: ‘Shuwanza Goff is a longtime friend of the House Democratic Caucus and a groundbreaking, capable and committed public servant’
(Washington, D.C.) – Cornerstone Government Affairs announced today the addition of Shuwanza Rebecca Goff, Deputy Assistant to the President/Deputy Director of White House Legislative Affairs and House Liaison, to its federal government relations team, effective March 3, 2023.
As the liaison between the Executive Office and the House of Representatives, Goff brings to the firm extensive legislative and policy experience, a thorough understanding of House Floor process and strong relationships with senior White House and legislative branch officials.
“I am thrilled to join a great team of highly regarded, results-oriented professionals at Cornerstone,” Goff said. “I look forward to applying my experience from both the White House and Capitol Hill to contribute to Cornerstone’s successful work on behalf of clients.”
Since January 2021, she has served in the Executive Office of the President leading negotiations with Congressional leaders and coordinating outreach to advance White House initiatives and priorities on issues including infrastructure, COVID-19, postal reform, gun violence, semiconductors, healthcare and two major reconciliation packages. In addition, Goff assisted in the historic confirmation process of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. In her role, she has staffed and advised the President and senior White House personnel during ceremonial and official events.
“It was my privilege to get to know Shuwanza during her time in the House of Representatives,” Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy said. “She developed strong relationships with Members and staff on both sides of the aisle, demonstrated deep understanding of the institution, and exhibited good judgment and expertise. Both the House and the White House benefited from her intellect, hard work and dedication.”
“Shuwanza Goff is a longtime friend of the House Democratic Caucus and a groundbreaking, capable and committed public servant,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. “During her time in the House, Shuwanza was central to advancing numerous wins for the American people as Floor Director for Majority Leader Hoyer. House Democrats are immensely proud of the work Shuwanza did at the White House to help usher the transformational and historic Biden agenda into law.”
Prior to her time at the White House, Goff served as the Director of Legislative Operations in the office of the Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, where she was appointed as the first African American woman to serve as Floor Director for the House of Representatives. In this role, she served as a member of the Majority Leader’s senior management team, developing, presenting and executing legislative strategies and coordinating legislative activity with Democratic and Republican House leadership offices, the Senate and the White House. Additionally, she determined which bills came to the House Floor, set the legislative schedule and helped craft the overall House Democratic agenda.
Before serving as the Director of Legislative Operations, Goff held various positions in the office of the Majority Leader over the course of a decade, including Floor Director, Deputy Director of Legislative Operations and Floor Assistant.
“I join in congratulating Shuwanza Goff as she departs the White House this month,” Rep. Hoyer said. “As a member of my team for many years, she grew to be a trusted advisor and more importantly, a dear friend. I witnessed her intellect, integrity and keen political instincts firsthand during her tenure on the Hill and in the White House. She quickly rose through the ranks to become the first African American Floor Director when we returned to the majority in 2019. Throughout her impressive career on Capitol Hill, she developed strong relationships with Members and staffers on both sides of the aisle and across the Dome. Like many of my colleagues in leadership, Committee Chairs and their staff, I frequently relied on her good advice and judgment. Indeed, very few people can match her knowledge of Floor procedure, legislative politics and the relationship between Congress and the executive branch. I was lucky to have her on my team, just as the Biden-Harris Administration was fortunate to have her serve as the White House Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs. I have no doubt that she will continue her success as she begins her new role.”
Goff’s legislative accomplishments include the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Gun legislation, CHIPS and Science Act, Coronavirus Aid and the CARES Act.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Shuwanza to our team,” Cornerstone President & Managing Director Geoff Gonella said. “Her knowledge of Floor procedure and the politics between the executive and legislative branches is unmatched. She has a stellar reputation on both sides of the aisle and will make an immediate impact for our clients and our firm.”
Goff received her Master’s in Science in Justice, Law and Society from American University and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Tennessee. She is a native of Virginia.