Mixing and Matching on the Finance Committee | Hill Climbers
The Senate Finance Committee has a new international trade counsel, Jason Park.
Park, who is moving over from the Senate Budget Committee, will focus on Trade Adjustment Assistance, customs and general trade issues for the Democratic majority staff, according to a Finance Committee release announcing the hire this week.
“He brings a set of skills and experience that will be invaluable as the Financial Committee continues to work on our substantial trade agenda,” Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said in the release.
On the Budget panel, Park was revenues counsel and worked on trade and tax issues, fitting the profile for his new role. Prior to his Budget Committee experience, he worked as Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray’s legislative counsel. Murray chairs the Budget Committee.
Schatz Takes One From Finance for Communications Team
Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, has hired Meaghan Smith, most recently deputy communications director for the Senate Finance Committee, to be his new communications director. He has also hired Roz Makaula to be his press secretary back in the islands. Makaula will work out of the senator’s Honolulu office.
“Meaghan has family roots in Hawai‘i and has gained expertise on economic issues at the Senate Finance Committee that are important to working families at home. We are also pleased to welcome Roz Makaula to our Honolulu office. Roz has worked in communications for years and has a background in print, radio and television,” Schatz said in a statement.