Top image: Toni-Marie Higgins, Chief of Staff to the Office of U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR)
ENGAGE: Tell us about your journey to U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR)’s office — how did your Capitol Hill career begin and what was your first post with the Senator?
TONI-MARIE HIGGINS: My Hill career began as an intern for U.S. Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) while I was in college. After graduating, I worked for U.S. Representative Sue Kelly (R-NY) until she lost reelection in 2006. In 2007, then-Congressman Boozman hired me as a Legislative Correspondent, and over the years I worked my way up to Legislative Assistant, Senior Policy Advisor, Legislative Director, and now Chief of Staff. I feel fortunate that the Senator has always surrounded himself with strong female leaders and gave a non-Arkansan so many opportunities to grow and advance.
Q: Currently you serve as Chief of Staff and are one of the more senior chiefs in the Senate Republican Conference. Are there any lessons you have learned in the role that you would share with the newer COS?
When I became Chief, I was fortunate to be mentored by incredible female chiefs who took me under their wing and made sure I succeeded. I’ve tried to pay that forward, because this job is impossible without the support of your peers. The biggest advice I give new chiefs is this: don’t just be a yes-person. Your responsibility is to provide your principal with honest, thoughtful counsel—even when that means pushing back or saying no. They may not always take your advice, but the best chiefs make sure the full picture is clear—the good and the bad—and then stand by and execute the decision.
Q: Senator Boozman is the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and a very senior Appropriator. You and your boss are both “institutionalists” in the best tradition. What about this moment in Senate history is most concerning to you regarding the way the Senate is legislating or not legislating?
There’s been a lot of discussion lately about weakening or eliminating the filibuster. As a former House staffer, I used to joke that the Senate is where bills go to die. But after 15 years of service here, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the role the Founders envisioned for this institution. Its rules are meant to encourage deliberation, bipartisanship, and consensus. I recognize that in today’s polarized environment, that can be difficult. Still, the answer isn’t to change the rules simply to make it easier to pass legislation. I believe people on both sides genuinely want what’s best for the country, even if they disagree on how to achieve it. Rather than lowering the bar, we should recommit to the hard work of finding common ground and advancing solutions that serve all Americans.
“Rather than lowering the bar, we should recommit to the hard work of finding common ground and advancing solutions that serve all Americans.” —Toni-Marie Higgins
Q: What legislative accomplishment achieved in your tenure are you most proud of?
As a mom, I’m especially proud of the work my boss has done on child nutrition. In the December 2022 omnibus, a bipartisan provision modernized the outdated summer meals program, helping it reach more food-insecure children in both rural and urban communities during the summer months. These updates expanded access beyond traditional congregate feeding sites by permanently allowing states to offer non-congregate options like grab-and-go meals and home delivery. The law also authorized a nationwide Summer EBT program for eligible children. As co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus and Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, he remains deeply committed to ensuring that no child goes hungry.
ENGAGE: Name a current Member of Congress on the other side of the political aisle whom you admire and why?
TONI-MARIE HIGGINS: U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) because she’s broken multiple glass ceilings—she was the first woman elected Governor of New Hampshire, the first woman from the state elected to the U.S. Senate, and the first female ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, proving that women can lead at every level of government with skill, dedication, and integrity. She is committed to bipartisan solutions and isn’t afraid to work across party lines to get things done, as evidenced by her courageous work to reopen the government after the longest-ever government shutdown last fall.
What do you wish everyone knew about the United States Senate or about your current boss?
What I wish everyone knew about the Senate is that it operates on a bipartisan basis every day, even if the headlines make it seem otherwise. As for my boss, he genuinely cares about doing the right thing and works quietly and tirelessly for the people he serves—and, without a doubt, he’s the nicest Senator!
When your career in the Senate concludes, what will you miss the most?
What I’ll miss most, honestly, is the people. The fellow chiefs of staff who somehow keep everything running behind the scenes, the team that’s been there through every late night and tough vote, and the colleagues who’ve really become like family. They’re the reason this job has meant so much to me.
What three words describe your current state of mind about America?
Divided. Exhausting. Resilient.
What is your favorite movie about government or politics?
Dave. While it pokes fun at bureaucracy, spin, and backroom dealing, it ultimately has a hopeful view of public service, and Kevin Kline is fantastic.
