CFM Federal Affairs
For more than twenty-five years, CFM has successfully represented clients in Oregon and Washington State helping them navigate the federal process, advocate for or against legislation and secure grants, appropriation projects and program plus-ups (adding money to existing accounts in order to fund more programs and projects). We have secured significant funds for our clients by crafting winnable projects and implementing targeted funding strategies.
We have developed comprehensive legislative agendas to give our clients the full breadth of federal representation. We have drafted, introduced and passed legislation, built and supported coalitions to advocate for policy changes and engaged the legislative and executive branch to ensure our client objectives are met.
We work with our clients to successfully influence legislation and guide complex initiatives through challenging obstacles. Our experienced professional team, network of contacts, expertise in working with federal, state and local governments and record of achievement provide us a unique ability to successfully advocate for our clients.
CFM has maintained a physical presence in Washington, DC for the entire 27 years of the firm’s existence. As a result, we have forged longstanding relationships with the Oregon and Washington delegations and key members and staff outside of the Northwest. Our deep network of contacts includes members on Appropriations, Education and Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Environment and Public Works, Energy and Commerce and Resources Committees. In addition, we have close ties with congressional leadership, as well as the Departments of Transportation, Justice, Commerce, Education, Labor, Health, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, and Trump administration.
Scope of Services
As your federal strategic partner, CFM will promote your interests in our nation’s capital and provide the tools necessary to be successful in a constantly changing political environment. We will help you establish and maintain strong ties to key members of Congress and the Executive Branch. We will assist you in understanding and participating in the federal governmental process and guide you through the legislative and grant processes. Your CFM federal team of professionals will work daily on your behalf in the following areas:
Developing a strategic federal agenda and political outreach plan
Tracking, researching and communicating with federal agencies to identify grant, appropriations and authorization projects and other funding opportunities
Drafting, editing, and advocating for applications to federal grant programs
Developing policy through the legislative (via Congress) and regulatory (via the administration) processes
Placing clients in the middle of discussions and debates around specific proposals that are central to your objectives
Coalition building on the local and national level
Coordinating advocacy efforts with the National League of Cities, Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association and other coalitions
Providing access to key decision-makers and leaders in Washington, DC
Providing opportunity for testimony before congressional committees
Drafting legislation
Drafting briefing materials and talking points to be used when meeting with elected officials and agency heads
Scheduling and attending meetings locally and in Washington, DC with key decision makers and staff