Bart Stupak Moves to K Street, Joins Venable
Former Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) is heading to K Street. The nine-term Member will be a partner in the legislative and government affairs group of Venable, the firm announced Monday.
Stupak grabbed headlines during last year’s health care reform debate when he led a group of anti-abortion-rights Members in holding up the bill. He later cut a deal with the Obama White House and Congressional leadership and voted for the measure.
He reported receiving death threats and hate mail during the debate, and he decided not to run for re-election. Most recently, he has been a fellow at Harvard where he leads a study group on government investigations at the Kennedy School of Government.
“After 36 years of public service, I’m very happy to be starting this new chapter in my life,” Stupak said in a statement. “Venable is one of the most respected names in Washington, and the firm has an especially strong record of leadership in government affairs. I’ve had numerous contacts with Venable partners over the years and am excited about helping my new colleagues and the firm’s clients navigate choppy congressional waters.”
The firm’s leadership praised Stupak’s work on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and said Venable’s clients would benefit from having the ex-Member on the team.
“We are thrilled to welcome Congressman Stupak to our government affairs group,” said Venable managing partner Karl Racine in a press release announcing the hire. “Bart is known as a truly bipartisan leader who not only knows the legislative process, but who took the time to understand critical issues that affect all of us.”
Stupak won’t be the only former Member of Congress at the lobbying and law firm. Former Sen. Birch Bayh (D-Ind.) will be a colleague.