With 18 years of experience, Neal is a Director of Government Relations at ML Strategies. With more than 10 years’ experience in government and government relations, he focuses on issues related to transportation and infrastructure, clean energy, trade, and federal appropriations. Working with a client portfolio made up of nonprofits, clean energy start-ups, and large companies, Neal’s efforts have focused on increasing client visibility and influence with decision makers at the congressional and federal agency level, and providing strategic advice on public policy and federal funding opportunities.
Prior to joining ML Strategies, Neal served as a legislative assistant to then US Sen. Max Cleland, where he was responsible for numerous issues including appropriations, the environment, natural resources, international relations, trade, historic preservation, and smart growth.
Education
- University of Georgia (BA)
Recent Insights
Viewpoints
Energy & Sustainability Washington Updates – May 2019
May 2, 2019|Article
Energy & Sustainability Washington Updates – April 2019
April 1, 2019|Article
November Elections Bring New Leadership to the House of Representatives
November 15, 2018|Blog
Viewpoints
Energy & Sustainability Washington Updates – May 2019
May 2, 2019 | Article | By R. Neal Martin
Read the latest energy policy updates coming out of the Capitol, including recent Senate and House hearings, new energy legislation, and energy infrastructure Executive Orders.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Updates – April 2019
April 1, 2019 | Article | By R. Neal Martin
Read the latest energy policy updates coming out of the Capitol, including information on tax extenders and the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request.
November Elections Bring New Leadership to the House of Representatives
November 15, 2018 | Blog | By R. Neal Martin
Following the November 6th United States Federal elections, Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) is expected to become the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Pallone issued a statement on the Democrats winning the House majority, indicating his intent to take on the role of Chairman. “Last night’s election results were a big win for our nation and for the American people. In the coming days, I will be asking my Democratic colleagues for their support to lead our party as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.”
President Signs Legislation Reforming CFIUS & Export Controls
August 28, 2018 | Alert | By Alexander Hecht, R. Neal Martin
Congress has continued its 57-year tradition of passing an annual defense authorization bill with the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 finalized by Congress on August 1 and signed into law by President Trump on August 13. The NDAA makes important reforms and updates to the process by which investments in U.S. businesses by foreign persons are reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and updates and codifies Department of Commerce practices related to export controls.
June 2018 Washington Update
June 4, 2018 | Blog | By R. Neal Martin
On May 10, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing to discuss the state of the country’s electric transmission infrastructure. This hearing was a continuation of the Subcommittee on Energy’s Powering America series, a series of hearings dedicated to examining aspects of the nation’s power sector.
Straight EB-5 Extension in Proposed Omnibus Appropriations Bill
March 21, 2018 | Blog | By Douglas Hauer, Alexander Hecht, R. Neal Martin
A provision to extend the current EB-5 Program until September 30, 2018 is contained in the proposed Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (“Omnibus”).
Chilling Effect of Proposed EB-5 Investment Amounts on EB-5 Regional Centers in Rural States
March 9, 2018 | Blog | By Douglas Hauer, Alexander Hecht, R. Neal Martin
Lawmakers are again considering changes to the EB-5 Program. In fact, before the end of this month, we may see provisions from the “Immigrant Investor Visa and Regional Center Program Comprehensive Reform Act” or “EB-5 Reform Act,” which is still circulating in draft form, packaged into an omnibus appropriations bill.
Immigration Debate Begins: Prospects for EB-5 Reform & Reauthorization
February 12, 2018 | Blog | By R. Neal Martin, Alexander Hecht, Douglas Hauer
Congress nearly averted a shutdown last week, but just missed the mark when Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) temporarily blocked Senate passage of the fifth – and supposedly final --- continuing resolution (CR) of this fiscal year temporarily extending current-level funding for federal activities until March 23.
Government Shutdown Ends – Is Immigration Reform on the Horizon?
January 25, 2018 | Blog | By Alexander Hecht, R. Neal Martin, Douglas Hauer
Three days into the government shutdown, Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) took to the Senate floor Monday afternoon to announce an agreement to end the impasse and reopen the government.
Government Shutdown Ends – Is Immigration Reform on the Horizon?
January 24, 2018 | Blog | By Douglas Hauer, Alexander Hecht, R. Neal Martin
Three days into the government shutdown, Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) took to the Senate floor Monday afternoon to announce an agreement to end the impasse and reopen the government.