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Coalition meetings with policymakers are powerful opportunities—but only if they’re well-prepared. A successful meeting requires more than showing up with shared goals; it demands coordination, clarity, and a thoughtful approach to who delivers which message. When each coalition partner knows their role and contributes strategically, the group can present a united, persuasive front that leaves a lasting impression on decision-makers.
Maximizing Policy Meetings Through Strategic Coalition Preparation
Coalition meetings with policymakers are high-stakes opportunities to drive your message forward. When done right, they show unity, strength, and shared purpose. But these meetings don’t just happen—they require thoughtful planning, coordination, and a smart use of resources. Here’s how to make the most of your coalition’s next policy meeting.
Assign Roles and Play to Strengths
Before the meeting, identify which coalition members are best positioned to speak on specific policy points. For example, if one organization has deep expertise in how a policy impacts a particular population, let them lead that part of the conversation. If a coalition partner can bring a constituent voice to the table—someone directly affected by the issue—consider starting the meeting with their story to set a compelling tone. Map out the speaking order, assign key messages to each speaker, and make sure everyone keeps their remarks focused and impactful.
Make the Case for Why You Matter
Every policymaker meeting should begin by establishing credibility. Why should this office pay attention to your group? Use your coalition’s collective reach to your advantage—highlight your members’ expertise, geographic footprint, and community presence. Whether it’s a strong presence in the policymaker’s district or a specialized industry perspective, demonstrate clearly why your coalition’s voice matters.
Leverage Coalition Resources for Greater Impact
One of the greatest benefits of working in a coalition is having access to a range of tools and resources. Tap into these assets to strengthen your message. A policy organization within your coalition might provide compelling data, while a corporate partner might offer powerful visuals or localized insights. Sharing these materials during or after the meeting can reinforce your points and leave a lasting impression.
Use Principals for High-Level Engagement
When engaging at a higher level—such as with senior congressional staff or members themselves—consider bringing in principals from your coalition organizations. Having CEOs, executive directors, or other high-profile leaders speak to shared goals can signal just how serious and unified your coalition is about the issue. Their participation underscores commitment and can help build momentum toward your desired policy outcome.
Keep in Mind
Coalition meetings are most effective when they’re carefully orchestrated. By assigning clear roles, using your members’ unique strengths, and delivering a polished, unified message, you’ll be better positioned to influence policy and build long-term relationships with decision-makers. With the right preparation, your coalition can become a force that policymakers not only hear—but remember.
Chamber Hill Strategies
When it comes to coalition building, Chamber Hill Strategies stands out among lobbying firms in DC. Our comprehensive approach helps clients achieve their advocacy goals. With strong relationships on Capitol Hill and a track record of shaping health policy, we turn complex challenges into real-world wins.
Let our expertise in Washington, DC, guide your efforts towards successful and meaningful stakeholder engagement. Look for our next blog about successfully identifying the right partners.
It’s a high-stakes week in Washington as Senate Republicans work furiously to finalize their budget reconciliation bill and as Republicans’ self-imposed July 4 deadline gets ever closer. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to work on drug pricing reform. Let’s get into it. Welcome to the Week Ahead!
The Administration
The Trump administration is looking at advancing its “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) policy as a demonstration through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). The proposal would tie the price of blockbuster drugs in the U.S. to the lowest prices paid in OECD countries, adjusted for rebates.
The possibility of this new model comes as manufacturers were dealt an ultimatum: cut prices voluntarily by June 12 or face regulatory roulette. The price benchmark? The lowest among countries with a GDP per capita of at least 60% of the U.S.—a move that could shake up the entire pricing deck. Discussions among pharmaceutical executives and administration officials are taking place behind closed doors. However, the policy is still being shuffled, and no one is yet sure who will emerge with the winning hand
But that’s not the only game in town. The Trump administration is also seeking to turn the tables on foreign players who they feel are freeloading off U.S. innovation. Specifically, they’re eyeing trade tools such as those found under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Additionally, a report is expected soon on an investigation into the effects of pharmaceutical imports on national security (aka a “Section 232 report”). Both of these actions could result in the administration dealing out tariffs or other retaliatory actions against countries with strict price controls.
The Senate
Over in the Senate, the stakes couldn’t be higher as lawmakers head into what’s shaping up to be a critical week for meeting the self-imposed July 4 deadline for passage of a budget reconciliation bill. Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-ID) is set to present on the committee’s provisions, including the tax and health care provisions, on June 16 at a GOP conference meeting. Meanwhile, the Senate Parliamentarian is playing the role of dealer, making sure every provision of the legislative text comports with the complex Byrd Rule. The July 4th recess is looming over the whole game, and lawmakers are racing the clock to wrap negotiations before the fireworks fly.
One of the biggest issues in the negotiations is over State and Local Income Tax (SALT) deductions. Negotiators are caught between a rock and a hard place: a $30,000 cap can’t clear the House, but a $40,000 cap can’t make it through the Senate. On one side of the table, you have blue state Republicans, like Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), threatening to vote no if the Senate does not preserve enough of a deduction. On the other side of the Capitol, Republican Senators, who don’t represent many constituents impacted by high state and local income taxes, but have voiced concerns over the house passed cap. Will the Senate jam the House, or can they come to an agreement during a truncated conference committee process?
For health care, many Republicans like Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Jim Justice (R-WV) are concerned about the Medicaid provisions, such as limits on provider taxes, work requirements, and new copays. On the other side, Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Mike Lee (R-UT) are wanting to up the ante on spending cuts. Senate Republican leadership can’t lose more than three members if they want to pass the bill.
Some Republican members, such as Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), have a stake in both the SALT and Medicaid games. It’s possible that Senate Republican leadership tries to make reductions to SALT easier to swallow by pushing back work requirements or grandfathering existing provider tax rates. However, that will no doubt anger conservatives in both chambers. Balancing both interests has turned this into a real high-wire act, with leadership trying to keep the coalition together without losing key votes. Much like a table full of pros waiting for someone to blink, everyone’s watching for tells, backroom deals, and surprise plays that could shift the momentum before time runs out.
The House
The House may be in recess, but the players aren’t far from the table. House members are watching the Senate’s every move, trying to influence things, and getting ready to receive the Senate’s revised bill. Even Speaker Johnson is waiting to see how the Senate plays its hand and is constantly reminding the Senate that the House passed its version by a single vote.
Meanwhile, the government funding for FY 26 remains in the air. The House Appropriations Committee has advanced legislation to fund the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, a June 11 Appropriations markup of the Ag-FDA funding bill ended after 11 hours when committee Chair Cole (R-OK) realized they wouldn’t be able to finish ahead of the scheduled markup of the defense bill due to numerous amendments that were filed. The House also passed a rescissions package before leaving town with cuts to global HIV/AIDS prevention funding. However, that’s for already approved funding and is considered a dead hand by many in the Senate, including some Republicans.
There you Have It
New NBA and Stanley Cup champions could both be crowned this week—who’s your pick to take it all? Make it a great week!
Many Americans love sports, and members of Congress are no different. A few times a year, lawmakers from both parties gather to play games in a variety of sports with the goal of raising money for charities. Here are some of the games where Representatives and Senators have the chance to take a break from the usual grind of Washington and bring out their inner athlete.
Congressional Baseball Game
Founded in 1909 by a Pennsylvania representative who once played baseball professionally, the Congressional Baseball Game is the oldest of the lawmaker-centric sporting events. In the game, which has been played at Nationals Park since 2008, Democrats and Republicans form different teams and play against one another. Congressional staffers, lawmakers’ families, and even some presidents attend the game, which raises money for four charities: the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, the Washington Literacy Center, and the US Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
Congressional Football Game
Started in 2004, the Congressional Football Game features members of Congress and former National Football League players facing off against the US Capitol Police. An Arizona representative led the effort to start the annual tradition as a way to honor the memory of two Capitol police officers who died in a shooting in 1998. The Congressional Football game raises money for three charities: the US Capitol Police Fund, Our Military Kids, and Advantage 4 Kids.
Congressional Women’s Softball Game
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and several other female members of Congress started the Congressional Women’s Softball Game in 2009. Each year, a team consisting of female lawmakers plays against women of the Washington, DC press corps. The game primarily raises money for the Young Survival Coalition, which supports women under 40 who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Congressional Soccer Match
Founded in 2013, the Congressional Soccer Match consists of separate teams formed by Democratic and Republican lawmakers that play against one another with help from some former professional soccer players. Nearly all lawmakers who participate in the annual event are members of the Congressional Soccer Caucus. The US Soccer Foundation hosts the annual match, which raises funds for several charity programs that help children in underserved communities.
Congressional Hockey Challenge
The Congressional Hockey Challenge began in 2009 from a weekly pickup match consisting of congressional staff and lobbyists. Each year, members of Congress, congressional staff, and administration officials face off against lobbyists, and proceeds from the annual match go towards the Fort Dupont Cannons, USA Warriors Hockey, Capital Beltway Warriors, the Tampa Warriors, and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association.
Congressional Basketball Game
First held in 1987, the Congressional Basketball Game ran for 20 consecutive years, featuring Democratic and Republican members competing for charity. In 1999, the format shifted to a matchup between members of Congress and lobbyists. In 2024, the event expanded with the launch of the Women’s Congressional Basketball Game.
The Race for Oversight Ranking Member: A Health Care Perspective
As House Democrats prepare for a key leadership vote on June 24, attention is turning to the race for Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee—a powerful role left vacant by the recent passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). His departure in April set off a quiet but important battle over the future direction of one of Congress’s most scrutinizing panels.
Why the House Oversight Committee Matters in Health Care
Though not traditionally the first committee associated with health policy, Oversight’s broad jurisdiction gives it powerful reach into how federal health programs are managed and regulated. Known for its watchdog role across government, the Oversight Committee has, at times, led some of the most high-profile congressional investigations into health care—ranging from drug pricing to health care consolidation to various issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Committee held a high-profile hearing in April 2025 titled “Restoring Trust in FDA: Rooting Out Illicit Products”, which explored how the agency regulates counterfeit drugs and other health-related consumer risks. Witnesses testified about breakdowns in FDA oversight and the consequences for public health—underscoring how the Committee’s work can shape regulatory reform and policy momentum.
The Oversight Committee has also focused on health care investigations involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), drug pricing, and FDA oversight. In July 2024, the Committee scrutinized PBMs like CVS Caremark and OptumRx for practices that may have driven up prescription costs, prompting a related FTC lawsuit in 2024 over insulin pricing.
Who’s Running
If you feel like we just saw this leadership race only recently, you’re right. After the 2024 election, Connolly successfully defeated an insurgent challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) to become the committee’s top Democrat, a victory secured with the backing of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11). While Ocasio-Cortez was rumored to run again, she demurred this go-around.
Four Democrats are vying for the spot: Reps. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), and Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), and Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Maryland). Each brings a different background and health care perspective to the race.
Rep. Robert Garcia: The Progressive Challenger
Garcia, a second-term lawmaker and former mayor of Long Beach, has made headlines for his energetic style and alignment with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He’s pitching himself as a leader who will take a more aggressive posture against Republican-led inquiries and redirect the committee’s energy toward protecting public health programs and the independence of federal watchdogs. Expect Garcia to emphasize pandemic preparedness, access to care for underserved communities, and bolstering federal health agencies’ authority and funding.
Rep. Stephen Lynch: The Experienced Institutionalist
Lynch, one of the committee’s longest-serving Democrats, is making the case for stability and seniority. Known for his pragmatic style, Lynch could steer the committee toward bipartisan investigations into health care fraud, veterans’ care, and Medicare oversight. His experience may make him the preferred choice for Democrats who value seniority and want to restore more traditional, methodical oversight of federal health spending.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett: The Equity Advocate
Crockett, a freshman lawmaker with a rising progressive voice, is running on a platform that emphasizes racial justice and health equity. A former civil rights attorney, she has expressed strong interest in using the committee to probe disparities in maternal health outcomes, access to reproductive services, and the social determinants of health. Her selection could make equity-focused health oversight a more visible part of the Democratic agenda.
Rep. Kweiski Mfume: The Statesman
Mfume, a veteran lawmaker with deep roots in civil rights advocacy and public service, brings a legacy of institutional leadership to the race. As a former president of the NAACP and vocal advocate for health equity he is emphasizing the committee’s responsible to protect vulnerable communities and upload government accountability. If elected, his focus on issues surrounding minority health disparities could shape the committee’s agenda. His candidacy appeals to members seeking experience, moral clarity, and a steady hand in an increasingly polarized environment.
What is Going to Happen
This race is about the future of Democratic oversight on health care. While the Ranking Member is largely left out of decisions about the direction of the committee, House Democrats are vying for a return to power after the 2026 elections. Should they prevail, a Democratic Chair of the committee could review health care spending, an expansion into structural inequities, or a confrontational approach to GOP priorities, depending on who wins the June 24 race to become the Ranking Member. The Democratic Caucus will cast its vote on June 24, with the outcome of the race determining not only the next Ranking Member, but the potential future scope of the committee’s health care agenda.
