When Democrats take the majority this week, Shuwanza Goff's role will shift from counting votes to managing the floor. | M. Scott Mahaskey/POLITICO Congress House Dem majority welcomes first black female floor director Shuwanza Goff will help the incoming majority leader decide on the Democrats’ agenda.

A veteran House Democratic staffer is set to break racial barriers once the House Democrats take power this week.

Shuwanza Goff will be the first African-American woman to serve as floor director, a low-profile but hugely important position in incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s (D-Md.) office.


“It’s a little daunting, but it’s also exciting,” Goff said.

In her current role as director of legislative operations for the minority whip, Goff communicates across the aisle on what legislation can and can’t pass and what Democrats will and won’t accept in bipartisan legislation, such as a bill to end the partial government shutdown.

When Democrats take the majority this week, however, her role will shift from counting votes to managing the floor. She will provide Hoyer with options on what bills will come to the floor, while incoming House Majority Whip James Clyburn’s (D-S.C.) office will make sure the votes are there for passage.

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Praise for Goff’s work extends beyond party lines. Matt Bravo, a former floor director for Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), worked closely alongside Goff for three years, communicating with her almost daily. He considers her a friend.

Floor staff have to “get s--- done,” he said, “and she’s the best.”

Goff describes her role as driving the agenda and determining what bills lawmakers vote on, saying she’ll assist Hoyer in scheduling bills as they’re preparing to leave committees and head to the House floor. She also says a large part of the position entails coordinating with committees, parliamentarians, the Senate — to some extent — and the White House on “what we’re doing, what our agenda is and what we’re bringing up for floor consideration.”

She’ll also be managing weekly meetings with the minority whip operation and committee chairmen, prepping Hoyer for weekly colloquies with Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, and managing procedural requests to pass noncontroversial bills quicker.

And she wants to build upon the momentum the House Democrats captured in the midterms and expand minority representation.

“I am obviously aware of the fact that on the Hill we need to do a better job when it comes to diversity,” she says. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of really good mentors, and I’m hopeful that in my role as the first African-American to have this position and to be in a senior role that I am able to help more junior staffers find their way, climb up and eventually consume and take over some of these more senior roles as well.”

Goff knew as early as middle school that she wanted to pursue a career in politics. Even back then, she said, she was more interested in government and history than math and science. That interest evolved as she got older, and she says that she “never knew in any way, shape or form that being floor director was even a job, let alone something that I would end up doing.”

She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in political science and got her master’s degree in justice, law and society from American University. She interned on Capitol Hill and began her career in 2008 as a staff assistant in Hoyer’s office.

Goff was promoted to floor aide, floor assistant and became Hoyer’s deputy director of legislative operations in 2012. The following year she was named to her current role.

“As a member of my staff for over 10 years, Shuwanza has developed strong relationships with members and staff on both sides of the aisle, demonstrated deep understanding of floor procedure, and exhibited good judgment and political instincts,” Hoyer said in a statement to POLITICO. “The House will continue to benefit from her intellect, hard work, and dedication.”

As a House veteran, Goff also knows and is prepared for the often-grueling congressional schedule. When Congress is in session, floor staff often come in around 8 a.m. and stay well into the evening.

“You’re always on, to some extent,” Goff said. “You’re always plugged in. You’re always replying to something or reacting to something, especially now in the minority. But you find a way to make that work within your personal life as well.”

