In recent years, investigators in Congress have ramped up scrutiny of government contractors and other recipients of federal funds. This trend has only accelerated in the current Congress, with Republican-led committees pursuing expansive inquiries targeting a wide variety of federal contractors and grantees. Along with familiar allegations of waste or
Continue Reading Government Contractors Face Unique Risks Amid Growing Congressional Scrutiny
Dana Remus
Drawing on her prior experience in government service, Dana Remus advises clients on congressional investigations, government regulatory enforcement trends, public policy issues, election and political law matters, and ethics matters. Dana represents clients in a variety of industries on a range of issues, including life sciences, technology, financial services, FinTech, energy, and consumer goods. She also advises nonprofit entities and federal and state candidates and political parties.
Dana joined Covington after serving as Assistant to the President and White House Counsel for President Biden. In this role, Dana advised on a range of matters and policy initiatives, including implementation of bipartisan legislation and high-profile congressional investigations.
Dana led the Biden-Harris campaign’s legal team as General Counsel, and served as senior advisor to the Harris-Walz campaign. She served as General Counsel of the Obama Foundation, and General Counsel of the personal office of President and Mrs. Obama, and prior to that, as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Counsel for ethics in the Obama administration.
Previously, Dana was a Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she specialized in legal and judicial ethics and the regulation of the legal profession. She clerked for Justice Samuel Alito of the U.S. Supreme Court of the United States and Judge Anthony Scirica of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Supreme Court Decision in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission Empowers Political Parties, Calls Other Restrictions into Question
In a major decision today, the Supreme Court in NRSC v. FEC struck down longstanding limits on “coordinated party expenditures” that restricted the amounts political parties could spend in coordination with federal candidates. With this decision, national party committees and the federal accounts of state parties can now spend unlimited…
Continue Reading Supreme Court Decision in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission Empowers Political Parties, Calls Other Restrictions into QuestionCovington Launches Election Year Toolkit
As the election season intensifies, companies face a rapidly evolving landscape of regulatory, compliance, and reputational considerations. With heightened scrutiny on political engagement, lobbying, campaign finance, and communications, organizations must be prepared to navigate complex and fast-moving legal requirements.
Drawing on our deep experience in election and political law, public…
Continue Reading Covington Launches Election Year ToolkitToday’s Press Release Could Be Tomorrow’s Subpoena: Bracing For the Possibility of Democratic Congressional Investigations
With fewer than 180 days until the midterm elections, Democratic Members of Congress are laying the groundwork for future congressional investigations in the event the party regains control of one or both chambers next year. Even as Democratic Members prepare for the possibility of winning the majority, developments such as…
Continue Reading Today’s Press Release Could Be Tomorrow’s Subpoena: Bracing For the Possibility of Democratic Congressional InvestigationsA Potentially Overlooked Risk Area: Incorporating Congressional Investigations into Transactional Due Diligence
Congressional investigations are now a common reality across corporate America, and companies large and small are therefore more focused than ever on the potential effects of congressional inquiries into business activities, goals, and strategies. In this new reality, the most sophisticated companies, private equity firms, and other corporate players are…
Continue Reading A Potentially Overlooked Risk Area: Incorporating Congressional Investigations into Transactional Due DiligenceDemocratic Investigations Agenda is Coming Into Focus
If the upcoming midterm elections result in a Democratic majority in the House next year, companies, organizations, and individuals can expect a new wave of congressional investigations, hearings, and oversight, with a familiar focus on the Trump administration and an emphasis on a variety of private sector targets. The Democratic…
Continue Reading Democratic Investigations Agenda is Coming Into FocusHandling Investigations of Members of Congress and Congressional Staff: A How-To Guide for Chiefs of Staff
It may begin with an unusual media inquiry or a sudden spike in interest on social media. Just as often, it starts with a non-public request for documents or other evidence. Your boss or your staff have been accused of wrongdoing, and it falls to you to lead the response.…
Continue Reading Handling Investigations of Members of Congress and Congressional Staff: A How-To Guide for Chiefs of StaffCongressional Investigations and the Rules of the 119th Congress
At the start of each Congress, the House and Senate, along with the various committees in each chamber, adopt internal rules that govern their operations. Though many such rules remain unchanged from one Congress to another, the continued emphasis on congressional investigations across Capitol Hill lends new significance to even…
Continue Reading Congressional Investigations and the Rules of the 119th CongressA Primer for Navigating the Presidential Appointee Vetting and Confirmation Process
Following the decisive election on November 5, the process of selecting and vetting individuals to fill the second Trump administration’s key appointed positions is quickly shifting into high gear. For those tapped for consideration, the decision to enter the process may be one of the most significant decisions of their…
Continue Reading A Primer for Navigating the Presidential Appointee Vetting and Confirmation ProcessAvoiding Pitfalls on the Path to Election Day: Common Political Law Risks for Corporations in Election Season
With Election Day fast approaching, corporations face increasing pressure from both internal and external forces to make legal decisions about political activities. This can be a fraught area of law, with little understood, highly technical regulatory issues that vary significantly across jurisdictions. Corporate counsel should be mindful of common—and sometimes…
Continue Reading Avoiding Pitfalls on the Path to Election Day: Common Political Law Risks for Corporations in Election Season