Neal is Senior Director of Government Relations at ML Strategies, with more than two decades of experience in government and government relations. He has represented clients before the US Congress and Executive Branch on a wide range of issues including appropriations, energy and sustainability, tax policy, trade, and transportation.

In support of a client portfolio that has included Fortune 100 companies, startups, nonprofits and associations, and colleges and universities, Neal works to advance client goals related to federal policy and funding opportunities, and to increase client visibility with decision-makers at the congressional and federal agency levels.

Prior to joining ML Strategies, Neal served as a legislative assistant to US Senator Max Cleland (D-GA), advising him on numerous issues including appropriations, energy and environment, international relations, natural resources, and trade.

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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.

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.

December 22, 2017 | Blog | By Alexander Hecht, R. Neal Martin

With just hours to spare in order to avoid a government shutdown, the House and Senate approved on December 21 a short-term continuing resolution (CR) funding federal activities through January 19.

October 24, 2017 | Blog | By Alexander Hecht, R. Neal Martin, Douglas Hauer

With all eyes in Washington focused on tax reform, let’s not forget that there is a hard deadline approaching to address funding of federal activities with the current continuing resolution (CR) set to expire soon.

September 28, 2017 | Alert | By Douglas Hauer, Alexander Hecht, R. Neal Martin

The chances of a stand-alone EB-5 bill gaining consensus with lawmakers on Capitol Hill are low. With the GOP failing to repeal the Affordable Care Act, lawmakers may be spending time readjusting priorities in unexpected ways for the remainder of 2017.

August 5, 2016 | Blog | By R. Neal Martin

Introduced by Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act (H.R. 3179) is intended to improve financial aid counseling standards for students seeking federal student loans.

July 28, 2016 | Blog | By R. Neal Martin

The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act (H.R. 3178), introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), would modify consumer information disclosure requirements related to college costs and student characteristics in order to assist students in making informed decisions about where to pursue higher education.

July 21, 2016 | Blog | By R. Neal Martin

The HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act (H.R. 5530), introduced by Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC) and Bradley Byrne (R-AL), is intended to increase access to capital by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by making changes to the HBCU Capital Financing Program which provides low-cost capital to finance improvements to campus infrastructure at HBCUs.

July 15, 2016 | Blog | By R. Neal Martin

The Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act (H.R. 5529), introduced by Reps. Joe Heck (R-NV), Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA), aims to help students who attend Hispanic-serving institutions access graduate-level and doctoral degree programs in health care.

July 8, 2016 | Blog | By R. Neal Martin

The Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act (H.R. 5528), introduced by Reps. Joe Heck (R-NV), Phil Roe (R-TN), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Mark Pocan (D-WI), aims at helping students make timely financial decisions when preparing for college.