Legislative Strategy. Having served in the Majority and Minority in the House and Senate, Gephardt Government Affairs staff has been involved in the most significant legislative battles spanning the past two decades in healthcare, energy, tax and the budget, among others. In his first year in Congress, Mr. Gephardt was appointed to serve on both the House Way & Means and Budget Committees, and our staff of well-seasoned policy tacticians works with clients to develop long-term planning and identify viable legislative vehicles. When legislation is active on the floor, we provide real-time monitoring and conduct outreach critical to our client's objectives.
Direct Advocacy. During his tenure in the House, Mr. Gephardt was colleagues in the House of Representatives with 49 current Senators and numerous Executive Branch staff. Well-respected on both sides of the aisle, our team brings valuable policy expertise in tax, climate change, intellectual property, energy & commerce, healthcare and international economics.
Coalition Building & Issue Campaigns. Effective advocacy in Washington occurs when an industry speaks with a united voice on an issue. At the same time, striking consensus amongst members of a coalition on fundamental legislative or regulatory principles poses formidable challenges to successful policy outcomes. Misunderstanding or lack of awareness of an issue amongst third parties can also derail the best policy. Gephardt Government Affairs team has quarterbacked the launch of coalitions with clients by defining clear governing principles and specific legislative targets, as well as building bridges to and engaging with key stakeholders.
Senior Leadership & CEO Advising. Gephardt Government Affairs President and CEO, Mr. Richard Gephardt currently serves on several Fortune 500 Board of Directors as a Member, Advisor and Senior Counsel, where he provides expertise on healthcare, energy, finance and foreign affairs to C-Suite executives. He is frequently looked to by clients' senior most leadership for his acute familiarity with the driving forces in the political and legislative landscape. Mr. Gephardt is widely-respected by clients for his personal commitment and hands-on approach to advising CEO's on resolution of internal company negotiations and mediation with third parties.
Crisis & Reputation Management. When a crisis erupts for a company or an industry, pressure for federal legislation or knee-jerk reaction is at an all-time high. In addition to facing sharp scrutiny by media, a company can face formidable expectations by key constituencies and industry partners to take decisive action immediately. Even well-intentioned missteps or delayed reactions can be devastating to the viability of a company's brand, standing or chief executive's tenure. Our team has been trusted by Fortune 500 clients to step in, develop possible solutions and bring about swift and positive outcomes, as well as helping clients stay ahead of the curve by monitoring issues with potential to spiral into crises dimensions.
Hearing Preparation. Delivering testimony before Congress is a unique opportunity to communicate directly with lawmakers but can be fraught with political landmines. An errant sigh, the wrong tone or a knowledge gap in testimony can leave a negative impression that ultimately puts at risk the company's brand name and reputation over the long term. Having ourselves cross-examined Congressional panels, Gephardt Government Affairs team strongly believes that compelling testimony requires thorough preparation and training. We specialize in coaching C-Suite executives to speak to lawmakers with confidence on the merits and substance of their issue.
Media Training. A media appearance by a company's senior most spokesperson or representative can help turn the tide of public opinion by presenting a first-hand narrative for the record. However, an off-the-cuff remark on live media can inadvertently become a soundbyte that eclipses a company's core value, message and intention. Our team is well-prepared to help clients navigate challenging interviews, anticipate attacks by opponents and coach tactics to reach key audiences with a controlled message.
Political Briefings. Gephardt Government Affairs is frequently called upon by corporate clients to provide comprehensive briefings and detailed insight into key races around election time. During his tenure as a public servant, Mr. Gephardt was re-elected 13 times, and our staff members have in various roles throughout their careers helped elect mayors, state representatives, members of Congress and national candidates. Our team brings on-the-ground acumen, expertise with key demographic game-changers and the capacity to anticipate how a client's specific issue will play out in an election cycle. We also advise clients on strategy and tactics to lend their voice in a positive way to key issues in election season.
PAC Advising. Our firm does not have a political action committee (PAC) but greatly appreciates the importance of clients' participation in political campaigns. We regularly advise clients on ways to maximize the impact of their giving practices, including developing relationships early on, prioritizing key congressional districts and supporting candidates on a bipartisan basis.