Boehner hires new press secretary

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has a new press secretary.

{mosads}The Ohio Republican hired Emily Schillinger, a Capitol Hill and White House veteran who most recently led communications for the Senate Republican Policy Committee and its chairman, Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.).

Schillinger, who also served in communications roles in the George W. Bush administration and U.S. House, replaced Michael Steel, the longtime Boehner press secretary who recently took a job with one of Jeb Bush’s political action committees.

“Emily Schillinger is one of the most talented and well-respected spokespeople in Washington,” Boehner said in a statement. “She brings to Boehnerland a wealth of experience at the center of high-profile debates, and we are fortunate to have her on the team.”

Before joining Barrasso, the No. 4 Senate Republican, Schillinger served as communications director for the House Natural Resources Committee under Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.); as press secretary for the Commerce Department in the George W. Bush administration; and as assistant press secretary to Bush.

She also worked as communications director for conservative Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).

For the past five years, Schillinger has been a “unflappable spokesperson” for Barrasso, the senator said.

“We asked a lot of her, but no matter what was sent her way she handled it with poise and professionalism. She puts her responsibility to be open and accurate with the public and the press first, and she’s trusted on Capitol Hill because of it,” Barrasso said in a statement.

“I’m going to miss Emily’s good judgment, extraordinary talent and even more her relentless good humor no matter the circumstances.”

Schillinger joins Kevin Smith and Cory Fritz in the Boehner press shop.