Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs
Zephranie Buetow is the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs. The Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs reports to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Office of Legislative Affairs enhances the ability of the Department to prevent, protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation, as well as to ensure safe and secure borders, by providing timely information about the Department of Homeland Security to Members of Congress, working with the White House and within the Executive Branch.
The Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs directs all legislative affairs activities for the Department, ensures close and harmonious relationships are maintained between the Legislative Branch and the DHS. The Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs maintains a highly confidential relationship with the Secretary of DHS.
Prior to joining the Department, Ms. Buetow served as Special Assistant to the President and Senate Legislative Affairs Liaison in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. In that role, she worked to enact the President’s legislative agenda while managing the White House’s relationships with Senators on both sides of the aisle. During her White House tenure, from January 2021 to February 2023, Ms. Buetow helped secure the passage of landmark legislation including the CHIPS and Science Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
Before joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Ms. Buetow served as Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, overseeing all of his personal office legislative activities and managing his legislative staff. Previously, Ms. Buetow served as Legislative Counsel to U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, handling the Senator’s homeland security and judiciary portfolios - including all immigration issues.
Originally from Illinois, Ms. Buetow served in the Illinois National Guard. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois State University and Loyola University Chicago School of Law.