ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland Governor Wes Moore concluded three days of engagements at the 2026 National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., emphasizing bipartisan collaboration and a state-centered approach to national challenges. Serving as NGA Vice Chair, Moore participated in discussions ranging from immigration reform and cybersecurity to economic development and support for military families.
The Governor began the meeting with a focus on immigration, discussing the economic impacts of federal policy on sectors like construction, agriculture, and hospitality. He then joined Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, the NGA Chair, for a fireside chat at the POLITICO Governors Summit, where he underscored the importance of the NGA in fostering enduring partnerships between governors and the federal government. “This is a decades-long tradition…where governors from around the country come and we meet about issues of real importance to all of us,” Moore stated.
As a member of the Council of Governors, Moore met with officials from the U.S. Department of Defense and the White House to address cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. He advocated for strengthened coordination on cybersecurity and disaster response, specifically highlighting the strategic importance of Maryland’s defense installations, including Fort Meade and the National Security Agency, to national homeland defense.
Governor Moore’s participation followed a period of controversy regarding an invitation to the annual NGA Bipartisan Dinner at the White House, from which he was uninvited. According to a statement released by Governor Moore, the decision was a “blatant disrespect” and a snub to the spirit of bipartisan federal-state partnership. President Donald Trump announced that this year’s NGA weekend would include only Republican governors, a departure from tradition. The White House stated that invitations were extended to some Democrats and not others, reserving the right to invite whomever the President chooses.
Despite the White House incident, Moore continued collaborative discussions, participating in the Winter Meeting’s opening plenary session focused on Governor Stitt’s “Reigniting the American Dream” initiative, which centers on entrepreneurship, education, and AI innovation. He also met with United Kingdom officials – Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper MP, British Ambassador Sir Christian Turner KCMG, and Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty MP – to discuss Maryland’s economic relationship with the UK, its largest source of foreign direct investment, supporting nearly 48,000 Maryland jobs.
The Governor also secured a $200,000 award from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for Allegany College of Maryland to launch the Appalachian Business Builders project. This initiative, a priority during Moore’s 2025 ARC States’ co-chairmanship, aims to establish a community development financial institution to expand access to capital for rural entrepreneurs in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties. “This investment is a direct win for Western Maryland,” Moore said.
Moore moderated a panel on “The Power of Service,” focusing on support for military families and veterans, highlighting Maryland’s leadership in this area. A comprehensive toolkit, co-developed by the NGA-Blue Star Families’ “Do Your Part” initiative, was released, showcasing best practices demonstrated in Maryland under Moore’s leadership. First Lady Dawn Moore’s commitment to supporting Maryland’s military families was also highlighted.
The NGA Winter Meeting concluded with sessions on lowering costs for working families, public-private partnerships, and addressing political division. Governor Moore concluded his engagements with a meeting with West Point cadets participating in the American Politics Program, discussing leadership and service. “We’re all leaving here knowing that we’re going to fight on behalf of our people,” Moore stated, emphasizing the importance of states’ rights and prioritizing America’s interests over partisan differences.
