(Washington, DC) – Today, Gephardt Government Affairs President & CEO Dick Gephardt announced that Former House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey will join the firm. As Senior Counsel to the firm, Mr. Obey will expand the firm’s expertise in health & education, energy, transportation, trade, defense and other issue areas.
In addition to his role at Gephardt Government Affairs, Mr. Obey has also accepted a position as a Senior Fellow at the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service, where he will be working with students to encourage participation in government and public policy issues.
Mr. Gephardt commented: "I could not be more thrilled to welcome Dave to the firm. He’s been a longtime friend and, as former Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, no one knows the federal government’s funding process better than he does. I’ve long admired his ability to negotiate, problem- solve and develop legislative strategy: he will be an incredible asset to our team."
As one of the most senior members of the Democratic Party, Mr. Obey served a total of 41 years in the House of Representatives, spanning the Administrations of nine U.S. presidents. He served on all three major economic committees: the Budget Committee, Joint Economic Committee, and, most significantly, as one of the longest-serving Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Appointed to the Appropriations Committee during his first year in Congress in 1969, Mr. Obey went on to serve ten years as Chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee and then as Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee. He was also elected to serve as Chairman of the full Appropriations Committee in 1994 and again from 2007 through 2010.
Tom O’Donnell, the firm's Managing Partner and Dick's longtime chief of staff said, "Dick’s unparalleled experience in the House Leadership is the perfect bookend to Dave’s experience on the Appropriations Committee. Dick’s ability to bring different faces to the table and negotiate compromise - and Dave’s ability to reach consensus across a broad spectrum of policy issues is unsurpassed. The two couldn’t be a stronger match."
Congressman Obey stated, "Dick Gephardt and Tom O’Donnell are the most able and decent people I’ve ever worked with in government. They have a tremendous capacity to talk to anyone, and more importantly, to listen to anyone. I look forward to joining the team."
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Gephardt Government Affairs was founded in 2007 by former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and specializes in helping clients develop political and public policy strategies. Learn more about our team at: www.gephardtDC.com.
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