Introducing our New Senior Policy Advisor: Q&A with Brandon Elsner

We’re excited to introduce Brandon Elsner as the newest member of the ESP Advisors team. Brandon brings a wealth of experience in government affairs, with a career spanning oceans, science, economics, and infrastructure policy. Brandon served in senior advisory roles at NOAA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality and worked on Capitol Hill […]
OMB’s FY25 NOAA Spend Plan: Clawbacks, Cuts, and What Comes Next

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved NOAA’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 spend plan, and the outcome represents a significant reshaping of the agency’s resources. According to Bloomberg Government, the plan claws back $239 million from NOAA, with the steepest reductions hitting the National Ocean Service and Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. The […]
Introducing our New Operations and Marketing Manager: Q&A with Marianne Brisson

Marianne Brisson is the newest addition to the ESP Advisors team, joining as Operations and Marketing Manager. With a background that bridges politics, ocean policy, and marine conservation, she brings a unique blend of experience to the role. Marianne completed a Master of Science in International Business with a thesis on Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and […]
Pocket Rescissions Could Quietly Gut Ocean and Science Funding

The term “pocket rescission” doesn’t make headlines often—but it should. This little-known budget tactic could quietly cancel millions in congressionally approved funds before they’re ever spent. In fiscal year 2025, it’s shaping up to be a real threat for ocean, coastal, and science programs.
Congress Pushes Back on Trump’s NOAA Cuts But Stormy Seas Loom

Congress released its FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations bills, offering early insight into the future of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). While NOAA’s organizational structure remains intact in both spending bills despite Trump’s request, the House and Senate lay out diverging visions for its mission and resources. Dive in with us on […]
Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation Bill: Ocean Funding Impacts & Key Changes

On July 4, President Trump signed a sweeping $3.3 trillion budget reconciliation bill into law—capping off a marathon of overnight votes in Congress just ahead of Independence Day. Passed along party lines with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, the bill pairs $4.5 trillion in tax cuts with $1.2 trillion […]
Introducing our New Associate: Q&A With Caroline Roche

Please join us in welcoming Caroline Roche. Caroline was a Water Conservation Intern for the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), where she worked closely with both the freshwater policy and ocean policy teams. Most recently, Caroline completed a communications and government affairs internship with Restore America’s Estuaries, strengthening her experience with coastal and […]
What’s in a Name? Budget Request, Recission, and Reconciliation — Three VERY Different Things

If you’re confused by the barrage of budget terms in federal news these days—budget request, budget recission, budget reconciliation—you’re not alone. These processes may sound similar, but they carry very different meanings and consequences. Understanding them is essential if your work intersects with federal funding for ocean or science priorities. Here’s your quick guide to […]
How Ocean Lobbyists Can Help: Marine Policy Lobbying with ESP Advisors

Why Hire a Federal Advocacy Team that Specializes in the Ocean? If you’ve been watching the news, you probably think the federal government struggles to get anything done. But DC is like the ocean; below the surface chaos are steady currents of activity that run deep. Engaging in DC does not mean stepping into gridlock. […]
White House Proposes Drastic NOAA Cuts, Threatening Weather and Ocean Science

On Friday, April 11, an internal memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) revealed a proposal to significantly restructure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), slashing its budget by approximately $1.7 billion—from $6.1 billion to $4.5 billion. The draft plan for the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) President’s Budget includes cutting […]