Top Ways and Means Republican staffer joining lobbying firm

A congressional aide who played a key role in Republicans’ successful efforts to pass tax-overhaul legislation is leaving Capitol Hill to join Squire Patton Boggs, the lobbying firm announced Monday.

David Stewart, staff director for Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee, has been named a principal in the firm’s public policy practice and will start there toward the end of the month.

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Stewart joined the Ways and Means Committee staff in 2015, shortly after Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) became the panel’s chairman. In his job at Ways and Means, Stewart oversaw the professional staff for the panel, which has jurisdiction over trade and health care in addition to taxes.

In a 2016 interview with The Hill, Stewart said he had a love of the committee “because it is the epitome of the institution within the institution.”

“It’s always got strong members, a really broad issue base of really important issues that affect every American,” he said. 

Prior to working at Ways and Means, Stewart worked for then-House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who now works at Squire Patton Boggs himself. Stewart also previously worked for former Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) and on Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign.

Boehner said in a statement that Stewart “will be an enormous asset to Squire Patton Boggs and its clients as businesses around the world seek to understand the changes taking place in US economic policy, anticipate what’s coming next, and make an impact in Washington.”

Both Brady and Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) praised Stewart’s work on the tax bill and other issues.

“David has been an invaluable source of strategic counsel and advice, not just to my chairmanship, but to the entire Congress,” Brady said. “He played a central, crucial role in passing the first tax reform in a generation.” 

Ryan said that Stewart “is a special talent, and the House owes him greatly for his service.