US Ocean Policy Webinar

US Capitol building. | Photo courtesy of Architect from the Capitol.

On Thursday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m.-noon (Pacific Standard Time), the Ocean Conservancy will host a webinar to explore what November’s election and the incoming 116th Congress will mean for ocean policy. Attendees will also gain access to a deep-dive report on incoming new members, likely leadership positions, and what it means for ocean priorities. Please register for the webinar here.

With the help of political experts at Winning Strategies Washington, the Ocean Conservancy is going to examine what the changes will mean for NOAA funding and ocean policy more broadly. Addie Haughey, Associate Director of Ocean Conservancy’s Government Relations team, and Rob Zucker, Partner at Winning Strategies Washington, will also be ready to answer any questions you might have.

The new year and political reality promise many changes. No one fully know exactly what the 116th Congress will look like, but each passing day gives us a better sense. With a recent run-off election in Mississippi we finally know the composition of the Senate. And the winner, Cindy Hyde-Smith, has served on the Senate Appropriations Committee as an appointee. Democrat Bill Nelson of Florida, formerly Ranking Member of the Commerce Committee which has oversight of NOAA, lost after a recount. Democrats – soon to hold the majority in the House and minority in the Senate – have now elected their party leaders in each chamber.