The View from Inside the Capitol
This story was written by Ian Jones as part of the McCourt School’s annual alumni magazine, Policy Perspectives.
As floor director for Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives, Nnemdilim Ubezonu (MPM’23) has a front-row seat to how policy is made.
One of the highlights of Nnemdilim Ubezonu’s (MPM’23) decade of working in the U.S. House of Representatives occurred during her early years on the House floor. A session’s first 10 pieces of legislation typically constitute the highest statement of a party’s values, and hearing the advocates of those bills cheering from the House gallery as they were passed was a significant moment for her.
“It made me really grateful to be a floor staffer, to be a part of whipping the votes for the bills, seeing them successfully move through the floor and seeing the people that it affected most actually react in real time,” she said.

The House Floor manager helps diverse priorities coalesce around meaningful change.
Since then, Ubezonu has moved from floor assistant and deputy floor director for then-Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) to floor director for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY, MPP’94). These key positions — determining support for legislation among party members prior to voting as well as counting votes as they happen — give her an unobstructed view into how policies that shape the nation are made. She consults with committees and individual congressional offices to understand priorities and make sure they are reflected in what happens on the House floor. She also works with members on the floor during every vote series.
“What’s exciting about being a floor director is it’s a bit of a jack of all trades. Especially when you have different majorities and minorities, and different administrations, the role ends up changing a lot,” she said. “It’s a really dynamic position that requires you to be on your toes — no two days are the same.”
Drawn to political science as an undergraduate, Ubezonu was taken with the vibrancy and energy of working on Capitol Hill during her internship at Rep. Clyburn’s office. Ten years later, “it has become work that is very meaningful to me, which is why I have continued to grow and keep pursuing opportunities here.”
A natural “people person,” Ubezonu finds the all-important relationship-building aspect of politics particularly valuable to her, whether it’s among coworkers, members of Congress or lobbyists.

Ubezonu with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries; Rep. Joyce Beatty; and Rep. Bob Menendez at the launch of McCourt’s Tri-Caucus Visiting Congressional Fellowship program.
“I’ve been able to take all of these relationships and make meaningful changes for people who are focused on different priorities,” she said. “More broadly, as it relates to the caucus and the country, you don’t always see the results and the effects of the really hard work that we’re doing. But being on the Hill long enough, I’ve been able to see the advances that at least Democrats have been able to make.”
Earning her master’s degree at the McCourt School allowed her to step away from the daily grind, think about the broader picture, sharpen her ability to articulate opposing viewpoints more effectively and harness her leadership skills. Given the current political climate, she says she’s also glad she took a class that required her to internalize varying perspectives on trade policy.

Ubezonu ensures that leaders have the tools to make well-informed decisions.
Asked what it’s like to work behind the scenes, Ubezonu laughs. “I am on C-SPAN for every vote series, so people will see me milling about the floor talking to people — that’s the very visible part.” A less apparent but vital aspect of working for the leadership is balancing competing priorities and interested in a very diverse, “big tent” party as members of varied backgrounds and interests gather to legislate.
I am passionate about making sure our leaders are able to make well-informed decisions. My job as a staffer is making sure that, whatever decisions our leaders are making, they have all of the tools, guidance and information to lead our caucus.”
Nnemdilim Ubezonu (MPP’23)
Being the minority party for the moment means there are limits to what can be achieved without the ability to drive the agenda, but that frustration often leads to more creativity, Ubezonu said.
I am passionate about making sure our leaders are able to make well-informed decisions. My job as a staffer is making sure that, whatever decisions our leaders are making, they have all of the tools, guidance and information to lead our caucus,” she said. “That’s how I continue to envision my role.”
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