User:Dauster

Bill Dauster is a lawyer, economist, speechwriter,^[1] and lecturer who has served on United States Senate,^[2] White House,^[3] and political campaign^[4] staffs since 1986, and currently is Deputy Staff Director at the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (the HELP Committee).^[5]

From 2011 to 2017, Dauster was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for Senate Majority Leader and then Democratic Leader Harry Reid.^[6] Dauster has been a longtime counsel to Senate Democrats^[7] and has been called a "top budget expert," a "leading authority on federal budget law and Senate rules,"^[8] "a formidable advocate," a "secret weapon,"^[9] and "a legendary figure on Capitol Hill."^[10] Lawrence O'Donnell called Dauster “the nicest man in the world.”^[11]

Senator Harry Reid and Dauster on the Senate floor April 10, 2014

Dauster has served as Staff Director or Deputy Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Budget;^[12] Labor and Human Resources;^[13] Finance;^[14] and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions^[5] Committees; Deputy Director of the White House National Economic Council;^[3] and Legislative Director or Policy Director for Senators Russ Feingold,^[15] Harry Reid,^[6] and Chris Van Hollen.^[16] Dauster has worked for eleven Senators—Senators Lawton Chiles,^[17] Jim Sasser,^[18] James Exon,^[19] Frank Lautenberg, Ted Kennedy, Paul Wellstone,^[4] Russ Feingold,^[15] Max Baucus,^[20] Harry Reid,^[21] Chris Van Hollen,^[16] and Bernie Sanders^[22]—and President Bill Clinton.^[3]

The Senate

Senator Reid, a baseball fan, called Dauster his “utility man,”^[21] saying of Dauster, “He can catch, pitch, play any position on the field. He has been great for me. I appreciate Bill’s work very much.”^[23] Senator Reid said, “Bill Dauster . . . is with me virtually every day, every place I go.”^[24] Senator Reid also said of Dauster: “Nobody on Capitol Hill better understands policy or legislation than Bill. Anytime legislative staff — not just mine, but anyone's staff in the Senate — has an issue dealing with legislation, they know Bill will be available. I admire him. He is a fine man. I so appreciate the example he sets in being good to everybody.”^[25] Senator Reid said, “You name it, Dauster has done it.”^[26]

Labor Secretary Tom Perez (right), Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (center), Senator Reid (center left), and Dauster (background left)

Senator Reid’s successor as Democratic Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer, called Dauster “one of the great staffers I have met in all the years I have been here in the Senate.”^[27] Senator Schumer said, “He came up with great ideas. He was a great sounding board for me.”^[27] In response to Senator Schumer’s speech, the office of Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah tweeted "Best wishes," noting that Dauster had “been a staple of this institution for decades.”^[28] Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin said, “Bill Dauster knows more about the rules of the Senate than probably anyone since Senator Robert C. Byrd. That has made him something of a legend in the Senate, on both sides of the aisle.”^[29] Senator Chris Van Hollen said, “Among . . . staff, there is perhaps no greater giant of the Senate than Bill Dauster.”^[30] Senator Van Hollen said that Dauster “built a reputation as an honest broker, a brilliant dealmaker, and an incredibly generous soul.”^[30] Senator Jay Rockefeller said that Dauster “keeps in touch with everybody and everything.”^[31]

Treasury Secretary Designee Timothy Geithner (left), Senator Max Baucus (center), and Dauster (right) in November 2008

Senator Max Baucus said of Dauster, “Many people know . . . Bill. Bill has served the Senate in many capacities, particularly with his expertise in budget matters and Senate procedures. He was invaluable to me.”^[20] Senator Paul Wellstone called Dauster “a close friend that many staffers know well and I think many Senators know well because of his brilliance and also because he is sort of a perfect example of someone who really lives such an honest life.”^[32] Senator Wellstone continued, “He treats all of us, regardless of our political viewpoint, with such generosity.”^[32]

Dauster in background at press conference in Capitol

Senator Ernest Hollings called Dauster “one of the most respected and expert voices on the budget” and “an invaluable resource to all Democratic Senators.”^[33] Senator Hollings continued, “Bill doesn't take himself seriously. He takes the issues seriously. . . . He personifies a true servant, not only of this great institution, but of the people we serve. Blessed with enormous intellectual skills, Bill has also exhibited great compassion for the less fortunate among us, especially America's children and the disabled.”^[33] Senator James Exon said “everyone recognizes [Dauster] is one of the true experts on our budget.”^[19] Senator Jim Sasser said Dauster was “always my strong right arm.”^[18] Senator Lawton Chiles called Dauster “gifted” and said, “Bill is self-effacing. But his modesty can't conceal his ability.”^[17]

The Old Executive Office Building

Dauster helped manage Senate passage of several budget resolutions^[34] and budget reconciliation bills,^[35] the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings restoration of 1987,^[36] the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990,^[37] President Clinton's first budget in 1993,^[38] the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995,^[39] the Further Continuing Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 1996,^[40] the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold),^[41] the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act,^[42] the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act,^[43] the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004,^[44] the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004,^[45] the Elder Justice Act of 2004,^[46] the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users,^[47] the Energy Policy Act of 2005,^[48] the Pension Protection Act of 2006,^[49] the SAFE Port Act of 2006,^[50] the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007,^[51] the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007,^[52] the Children's Health Insurance Act of 2007,^[53] the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008,^[54] the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008,^[55] the Affordable Care Act,^[56] the Budget Control Act of 2011, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012,^[57] the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011,^[58] the 2012 farm bill,^[59] the 2012 highway bill,^[60] the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013,^[61] the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013,^[62] the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, the 2013 filibuster reforms,^[63] the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013,^[64] the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015,^[65] the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016,^[66] the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021,^[67] and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.^[68]

The Quadrangle at the University of Pennsylvania

Dauster has written five books^[69] — Congressional Budget Act Annotated; Budget Process Law Annotated; Budget Process Law Annotated: 1993 Edition; Trade Promotion Authority Annotated; and The Congressional Budget Process — and numerous articles.^[70]

USC School of International Relations

From 2019 to 2021 he was a member of the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn in Washington Program,^[71] where he taught about the balance of power between Congress and the President, and of American University’s Washington College of Law, where he taught Congressional Procedure.^[72] He has guest lectured at Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago Law School, the New York University School of Law, Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, the University of Southern California, the University of Alabama School of Law, the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, the University of Maryland's Carey School of Law, the University of Maryland, College Park, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law, American University’s Washington College of Law, American University, Catholic University's Columbus School of Law, Columbia University School of Social Work, the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University, Salem State University, and the National War College.

Columbia University with the Law School in the background

Dauster received a bachelor's degree in international relations, economics, and political science (magna cum laude) from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in economics from the University of Southern California, and a Juris Doctor from the Columbia University school of law.^[73] He worked as an associate attorney at the New York City law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore.

McKeldin Mall at the University of Maryland

From 2018 to 2020, Dauster was a graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he took classes in Jewish Studies. He is married to Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub.^[74]

Dauster has studied Torah at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City; Temple Emanuel in Kensington, Maryland; Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, Maryland;^[75] Johns Hopkins University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute; The Foundation for Jewish Studies of Maryland; LimmudFest New Orleans; OASIS lifelong learning; the University of Maryland, College Park; and on Capitol Hill.^[76]

Since October 2005, he has written and expanded Wikipedia articles on each of the 54 weekly Torah portions.^[77] He has originated or significantly expanded the following Wikipedia and Wikisource articles and sections of articles:

On Torah:

Numbers 18:27–30 in a Torah Scroll

Abraham Lubin, Acharei Mot, Adda bar Ahavah, Avot 1:12, Avot 1:13, Avot 1:15, Avot 1:16, Avot 1:17, Avot 1:18, Avot 2:1, Avot 2:2, Avot 3:1, Avot 3:2, Avot 3:6, Avot 5:4, Avot 5:6, Avot 5:8, Avot 5:21, Avot 6:10, Avot 6:11, Avot Chapter 2, Avot Chapter 3, Avot Chapter 4, Avot Chapter 5, Avot Chapter 6, Balak (parashah), Bava Kamma 9:5, Bava Kamma Chapter 1, Bava Kamma Chapter 9, Bava Metzia 9:11, Bava Metzia 9:12, Bava Metzia Chapter 9, Bechukotai, Behaalotecha, Behar, Bemidbar (parashah), Bereshit (parashah), Beshalach, Bethuel, Bible Review, “Bibliography” in Book of Genesis, Bo (parashah), Chayei Sarah, Chukat, Congregation Beth El (Bethesda, Maryland), Daughters of Zelophehad, Devarim (parashah), Eikev, Emor, Genesis Rabba, Haazinu, Hayim Lapin, Herb Levinson, “In rabbinic literature” in Melchizedek, Jacob Milgrom, Jeshurun, Joshua ben Levi, Kedoshim, Keritot 6:9, Keritot Chapter 6, Ki Tavo, Ki Teitzei, Ki Tissa, Korach (parashah), Lech-Lecha, Leviticus Rabbah, “List of Haftarot“ at Haftarah, Makkot 3:9, Makkot Chapter 3, Man of God, Martha daughter of Boethus, Masei, Matot, Metzora (parashah), Miketz, Milcah, Mishpatim, Modeh ani, Naso (parashah), Nedarim 11:3, Nedarim Chapter 11, Nitzavim, Noach, Numbers Rabbah, Nun (biblical figure), Oktzin Chapter 1, Paddan Aram, Parah 8:3, Parah Chapter 8, Pekudei, Pesachim 1:4, Pesachim 1:5, Pesachim 1:6, Pesachim 1:7, Pesachim 9:1, Pesachim 9:2, Pesachim 9:3, Pesachim 10:1, Pesachim 10:2, Pesachim 10:3, Pesachim 10:4, Pesachim 10:5, Pesachim Chapter 9, Pesachim Chapter 10, Pinechas (parashah), Re'eh, Seder Tahorot, Shemini (parashah), Shemot (parashah), Shlach, Shofetim (parashah), Shoftim, Tamid 5:1, Tamid Chapter 5, Tazria, Template:Weekly Torah Portions, Terumah (parashah), Tetzaveh, Toledot, Tractate Bava Kamma, Tractate Bava Metzia, Tractate Keritot, Tractate Makkot, Tractate Oktzin, Tractate Parah, Tractate Tamid, Tzav, Va'eira, Va'etchanan, Vayakhel, Vaychi, Vayeira, Vayelech, Vayeshev, Vayetze, Vayigash, Vayikra (parashah), Vayishlach, V'Zot HaBerachah, Walter Brueggemann, and Yitro (parashah).

The Senate side of the United States Capitol

Since July 2008, he has also uploaded images related to the Hebrew Bible at Wikimedia Commons. See his page there.

On government:

Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, “Commissioners” in Federal Election Commission, Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, Congressional Review Act, Fast track (trade), Finance Committee (disambiguation page), Gary B. Myrick, Independent Payment Advisory Board, Jack Lew, Lawrence O'Donnell, Lula J. Davis, Reconciliation (United States Congress), Robert A. Sunshine, Terrell McSweeny, United States Congress Conference committee, United States Congress Joint Committee on Taxation, and United States National Economic Council.

Notes

1. For speeches from the 1990s and 2000s, see “A Progressive Voice”. For some speeches on which he worked with Senator Chris Van Hollen, see, e.g., Congressional Record, volume 163, pages 103–05 (January 5, 2017) (statement of Senator Chris Van Hollen on the budget resolution to repeal the Affordable Care Act); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S625–26 (February 2, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Interior Department rule on stream protection); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S644–45 (February 2, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Securities and Exchange Commission rule on disclosure of foreign payments); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1168–69 (February 15, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Social Security Administration rule on background checks for gun purchases); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1620–21 (March 7, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Bureau of Land Management planning rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, page S1663 (March 8, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Department of Education teacher preparation rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1679–81 (March 8, 2017) (on the Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act); Congressional Record, volume 163, page S1711 (March 9, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Department of Education accountability rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1741–42 (March 9, 2017) (on the 75th anniversary of the Applied Physics Laboratory); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1789–91 (March 14, 2017) (on the American Health Care Act); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1870–71 (March 21, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the wildlife taking rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1913–14 (March 22, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of OSHA's injury records rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, page S1949 (March 23, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Federal Communications Commission Broadband rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, at pages S2090–91 (March 29, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the IRA rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, page S2131 (March 30, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the family planning rule).
2. Roll Call reporters and editors have cited Dauster among leading Capitol Hill staffers. See, e.g., Niels Lesniewski, “Bill Dauster Caps Decades of Senate Service: Longtime Democratic aide retired last week,” Roll Call, May 31, 2017; “The Roll Call Fabulous 50,” Roll Call, January 16, 2014; “The Fabulous 50,” Roll Call, February 12, 2013, page 18; “The Roll Call Fabulous 50,” Roll Call, September 13, 2012, page B-11; “The Roll Call Fabulous 50,” Roll Call, January 23, 2012, page B-8; “Roll Call’s Fabulous Fifty,” Roll Call, January 26, 1998, page B-24; see also “Tribute to William Dauster,” Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings); “Bill Dauster” in Suzanne Struglinski, editor, 'Insider's Guide to Key Committee Staff of the U.S. Congress, 2009 (Lanham, Maryland: Bernan Press, 22nd Edition, 2009), page 633.
3. See “People: At the White House,” National Journal, April 3, 1999, page 894; “Moving Left,” The Wall Street Journal, April 2, 1999, page A1, column 5; Al Kamen, “Sperling’s National Beef Council,” The Washington Post, April 2, 1999, page A27; "Bill Dauster's Subject Files, ca. 3/1999 - ca. 1/2000," National Archives.
4. See Robert Novak, “Wellstone’s Gain,” Chicago Sun-Times, June 28, 1998; “Quayle, Wellstone Forming Staffs,” The Washington Post, July 12, 1998, page A14.
5. Megan R. Wilson, Bernie Sanders' Alum Set To Play Key Role on HELP Committee," Politico, January 18, 2023; John Bresnahan and Andrew Desiderio, "We’ve Got Bernie’s HELP Committee Staff," Punchbowl News, January 27, 2023; Paul Krawzak, "Top Appropriations Aide and ‘Institutionalist’ Kieffer To Retire," Roll Call, February 22, 2023, 5:30 AM.
6. See, e.g., Dmitriy Shapiro, "Harry Reid Remembered for Deep Identification with Jewish Community and Israel," Cleveland Jewish News, Jan. 5, 2022, 4:24 PM; Caitlin Emma, "Sanders Amasses Budget Arsenal To Enact $15 Minimum Wage," Politico, February 2, 2021; Jake Johnson, "Bolstering Reconciliation Case, Study Shows $15 Wage Would Boost Federal Budget By $65 Billion," Common Dreams, February 1, 2021; Niv Elis, "Progressives Push Controversial Proposal on Budget Reconciliation," The Hill, January 21, 2021; Niv Elis, "Byrd Rule, Politics Threaten $15 per Hour Minimum Wage," The Hill, January 28, 2021; Andrew Duehren and Richard Rubin, "Democrats See Path to Biden’s Covid-19 Relief Bill Without GOP Help,", Wall Street Journal, January 26, 2021; David Lerman, "Minimum Wage Boost Likely Headed for Budget Reconciliation Bill,"Roll Call, January 25, 2021; Paul M. Krawzak, “Impeachment Trial Could Knock Biden Virus Aid Plan Off Course,” Roll Call, January 22, 2021; Paul M. Krawzak, "Top Budget Expert Makes Case for Minimum Wage in Reconciliation," Roll Call, January 22, 2021; Kate Riga, “With Fresh Obstructionist Demands, McConnell Dares Dems To Blow Up the Filibuster,” Talking Points Memo, January 21, 2021; Naomi Lim, "Loeffler under Pressure To Dispute Electoral College Results on Jan. 6," Washington Examiner, December 11, 2020; Naomi Lim, "Senate Gridlock Could Keep Biden from Satisfying Liberals," Washington Examiner, November 23, 2020; Kate Riga, "Without a Blue Senate, a Pres. Biden Would Have To Dramatically Adjust His Expectations," Talking Points Memo, November 4, 2020; Naomi Lim, "Liberal Policy Agenda Could Lose Out as Campaigns Focus on Halting Coronavirus," Washington Examiner, March 21, 2020; Naomi Lim, "Amy Klobuchar resurgent among 2020 Democrats thanks to Iowa boomlet," Washington Examiner, December 11, 2019; Paul M. Krawzak, "New Legislative Affairs Chief Ueland Has His Work Cut Out for Him," Roll Call, June 17, 2019; Brian Abrams, Obama: An Oral History, pages ix, 291, 305, 306, 308 (New York: Little a, 2018) ISBN 978-1503951662; Margot Sanger-Katz, "Byrd Bath: Seven Provisions That Could Disappear From the Senate Health Bill," The New York Times, July 21, 2017; Lori Montgomery, “For GOP, Who’ll Make the Deal? Key Aides’ Departures Darken Outlook for Accord on Debt,” The Washington Post, August 9, 2013, pages A1, A12 (calling Dauster “a senior aide handling policy and floor operations for Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid”); Sahil Kapur, "Democrats Risk Unintended Medicare Cuts if They Pass Partisan Covid Relief," NBC News, February 1, 2021 (calling Dauster "a policy aide when Harry Reid of Nevada was the to Senate Democratic leader"); Mark Tapscott, "Unfunded Social Security, Medicare Obligations Ignored During Star-Studded Federal Budget Reform Summit," The Epoch Times, Feb. 26, 2020.
7. Emmarie Huetteman, "Senate Republicans Throw the Brakes on Timing for Becerra Hearings," Kaiser Health News, December 8, 2020 ("Bill Dauster, who advised Democrats on the Senate’s procedural rules for decades"); Jonathan Nicholson, "Pelosi Says She Has ‘Arrows in my Quiver’ on Court Fight, but Unclear What They Are," Market Watch, September 21, 2020 (calling Dauster "a former long-time Democratic aide who wrote a book on Senate procedure"); Naomi Lim, "Arizona Looms Large as Biden Battleground State," Washington Examiner, May 5, 2020 (calling Dauster "a Democratic Senate, White House, and campaign veteran"); Emmarie Huetteman, "Make Room For Baby: After Giving Birth, Duckworth Presses Senate To Bend Rules." NPR, April 11, 2018 ("Bill Dauster, who advised Democrats on Senate procedure for decades"); Emmarie Huetteman, "Make Room For Baby: After Giving Birth, Duckworth Presses Senate To Bend Rules," Kaiser Health News, April 11, 2018 ("Bill Dauster, who advised Democrats on Senate procedure for decades"); Paige Winfield Cunningham, "Senate staffer speaks softly but carries big stick: Parliamentarian will decide if GOP can follow through on Obamacare," The Washington Post, May 30, 2017, page A15 ("Bill Dauster, a longtime counsel to Senate Democrats").
8. Paul M. Krawzak, "Top Budget Expert Makes Case for Minimum Wage in Reconciliation," Roll Call, Jan. 22, 2021.
9. Jonathan Nicholson, "First skirmish in minimum-wage battle lost, but Bernie Sanders still has secret weapon for future procedural fights," MarketWatch, February 25, 2021; Tara Golshan, “Bernie Sanders Has A Secret Weapon In Pushing Democratic Policy Through Senate: Veteran political aide Bill Dauster came out of retirement to pass some of Democrats’ biggest policy priorities,” HuffPost, March 18, 2021.
10. Tara Golshan, “Bernie Sanders Has A Secret Weapon In Pushing Democratic Policy Through Senate: Veteran political aide Bill Dauster came out of retirement to pass some of Democrats’ biggest policy priorities,” HuffPost, March 18, 2021; see also Byrd Nerds: Why the Byzantine Process of Budget Reconciliation Exists and How It Actually Works," Politico Playbook Deep Dive, Aug. 12, 2022 (Ryan Lizza calls Dauster "a legend").
11. Episode E2102231, The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, February 23, 2021.
12. See, e.g., U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1995–1996 Official Congressional Directory, 104th Congress, 1st Session, 1995, Senate Publication 104-14, page 362 (Democratic Chief of Staff/Chief Counsel); Congressional Record, volume 141, page S7445 (May 25, 1995) (statement of Senator James Exon); Congressional Record, volume 141, page S9410 (June 29, 1995) (statement of Senator James Exon); Congressional Record, volume 142, page S5550 (May 23, 1996) (statements of Senators Pete Domenici and James Exon); Congressional Record, volume 142, pages S6183 (June 13, 1996) (statements of Senators James Exon and Tom Daschle). See also U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1993–1994 Official Congressional Directory, 103d Congress, 1st Session, 1993, Senate Publication 103-8, page 394 ISBN 0-16-041175-0 (Chief Counsel); U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1991–1992 Official Congressional Directory, 102d Congress, 1st Session, 1991, Senate Publication 102-4, page 400 (Chief Counsel); U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1989–1990 Official Congressional Directory, 101st Congress, 1st Session, 1989, Senate Print 101-29, page 341 (Chief Counsel); U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1987–1988 Official Congressional Directory, 100th Congress, 1st Session, 1987, Senate Print 100-31, page 455 (Chief Counsel); "Staff Working Files of the Committee on the Budget from the 94th through 107th Congresses," National Archives.
13. See, e.g., Congressional Record, volume 143, page E2223 (November 8, 1997) (statement of Representative Patsy Mink).
14. See, e.g., Congressional Record, volume 151, page S7765 (June 30, 2005) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 151, page S13563 (December 14, 2005) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 152, page S6769 (June 29, 2006) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 152, page S9610 (September 14, 2006) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 152, page S10813 (September 29, 2006) (statement of Senator Max Baucus); Congressional Record, volume 153, page S1572 (February 5, 2007) (statement of Senator Ted Kennedy); Congressional Record, volume 153, page S14728 (December 4, 2007) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 154, page S4241 (May 15, 2008) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 154, page H4391 (May 21, 2008) (statement of Representative Tom Price); Congressional Record, volume 154, page H8153 (September 16, 2008) (statement of Representative Eric Cantor); Brian Abrams, Obama: An Oral History, pages ix, 49, 120 (New York: Little a, 2018).
15. See, e.g., Congressional Record, volume 146, page S4908 (June 8, 2000) (statement of Senator Russ Feingold); Congressional Record, volume 147, page S2480 (March 19, 2001) (statement of Senator Russ Feingold); Congressional Record, volume 156, page S10510 (December 17, 2010) (statement of Senator Russ Feingold).
16. Chris Van Holllen. "Van Hollen Announces New Senate Staff." December 21, 2016. Heather Caygle. "Key Reid Staffer to Van Hollen’s Office," Politico, December 22, 2016. ("Dauster is a big get for Van Hollen given his decades of experience on Capitol Hill.") Andrew Metcalf, "Van Hollen appoints Karen Robb, Yvette Lewis to lead Senate staff," Bethesda Magazine, December 22, 2016.
17. Congressional Record, volume 133, page S6019ff (April 21, 1987) (statement of Senator Lawton Chiles).
18. Congressional Record, volume 140, page S3860 (March 25, 1994) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser).
19. Congressional Record, volume 141, page S7445 (May 25, 1995) (statement of Senator James Exon).
20. Congressional Record, volume 149, page S15930 (November 25, 2003) (statement of Senator Max Baucus).
21. Congressional Record, volume 161, page S7603 (October 29, 2015) (statement of Senator Harry Reid); Congressional Record, volume 162, page S6860 (December 8, 2016) (statement of Senator Harry Reid).
22. Holly Otterbein, “Sanders Shakes Up Senate Staff,” Politico, February 3, 2021; Laura Litvan, "Sanders Taps Budget-Rules Expert to Push Bill: Stimulus Update," Bloomberg News, February 4, 2021; Rachael Bade, Tara Palmeri, Ryan Lizza, and Eugene Daniels, “POLITICO Playbook,” Politico, February 4, 2021; Alexander Bolton, “Little known Senate referee to play major role on Biden relief plan,” The Hill, February 4, 2021; Max Greenwood, “Sanders Replacing Top Staffers with Campaign Aides,” The Hill, February 4, 2021; Jonathan Nicholson, "What’s next for coronavirus stimulus? A series of hurdles," ‘’MarketWatch’’, February 16, 2021; Tara Golshan, “Bernie Sanders Has A Secret Weapon In Pushing Democratic Policy Through Senate: Veteran political aide Bill Dauster came out of retirement to pass some of Democrats’ biggest policy priorities,” HuffPost, March 18, 2021; see also "Uncertain prospects," CQ Budget Tracker, June 24, 2021; Jane Mayer, "The Slime Machine Targeting Dozens of Biden Nominees," The New Yorker, April 16, 2022.
23. Congressional Record, volume 162, page S6860 (December 8, 2016) (statement of Senator Harry Reid).
24. Congressional Record, volume 162, page S1984 (April 13, 2016) (statement of Senator Harry Reid).
25. Congressional Record, volume 161, page S8839 (December 18, 2015) (statement of Senator Harry Reid). See also Heather Caygle. "Key Reid Staffer to Van Hollen’s Office," Politico, December 22, 2016.
26. Tara Golshan, “Bernie Sanders Has A Secret Weapon In Pushing Democratic Policy Through Senate: Veteran political aide Bill Dauster came out of retirement to pass some of Democrats’ biggest policy priorities,” HuffPost, March 18, 2021.
27. Congressional Record, volume 163, page S3164 (May 25, 2017) (statement of Senator Chuck Schumer).
28. Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch), Twitter (May 25, 2017, 11:08 AM).
29. Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S3202–03 (May 25, 2017) (statement of Senator Dick Durbin).
30. Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S3184–85 (May 25, 2017) (statement of Senator Chris Van Hollen); broadcast on CSPAN.
31. Congressional Record, volume 158, page S337 (February 6, 2012) (statement of Senator Jay Rockefeller).
32. Congressional Record, volume 145, page S2162 (March 3, 1999) (statement of Senator Paul Wellstone).
33. Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
34. See, e.g., Congressional Record, volume 133, page S6019ff (April 21, 1987) (statement of Senator Lawton Chiles); Congressional Record, volume 136, page S14710 (October 8, 1990) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 137, page S4805 (April 23, 1991) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 137, page S6340 (May 22, 1991) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 138, page S4900 (April 7, 1992) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 138, page S5492 (April 10, 1992) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S3708 (March 25, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S4178 (March 31, 1993) (statement of Senator Hank Brown); Congressional Record, volume 140, page S3860 (March 25, 1994) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
35. See, e.g., Congressional Record, volume 135, page S16644 (November 21, 1989) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 136, pages S17705 and S17550 (October 27, 1990) (statements of Senators Robert Byrd and Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S8070 (June 24, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S10763 (August 6, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
36. See Congressional Record, volume 133, page S12534 (September 23, 1987) (statement of Senator Lloyd Bentsen); Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
37. See Lawrence J. Haas, “A Staff Mechanic for Budget Repairs,” National Journal, November 10, 1990, page 2754; Congressional Record, volume 136, pages S17705, S17550 (October 27, 1990) (statements of Senators Robert Byrd and Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
38. See Congressional Record, volume 139, page S3708 (March 25, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S4178 (March 31, 1993) (statement of Senator Hank Brown); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S8070 (June 24, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S10763 (August 6, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser).
39. See Congressional Record, volume 141, page S1696 (January 27, 1995) (statement of Senator Dirk Kempthorne).
40. See Congressional Record, volume 141, page S17490 (November 19, 1995) (statement of Senator James Exon).
41. See Congressional Record, volume 147, page S3258 (April 2, 2001) (statement of Senator John McCain); Congressional Record, volume 148, pages S2158 and S2159 (March 20, 2002) (statements of Senators Russ Feingold and John McCain).
42. See Congressional Record, volume 149, page S8709 (June 26, 2003) (statement of Senator Bill Frist); Congressional Record, volume 149, page S15565 (November 22, 2003) (statement of Senator Orrin Hatch); Congressional Record, volume 149, pages S15907, S15911, and S15930 (November 25, 2003) (statements of Senators John Breaux, Chuck Grassley, and Max Baucus).
43. See Congressional Record, volume 150, page S5218 (May 11, 2004) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley).
44. See Congressional Record, volume 150, pages S9577 and S9579 (September 23, 2004) (statements of Senators Chuck Grassley and Max Baucus).
45. See Congressional Record, volume 150, page S11219 (October 11, 2004) (statement of Senator Max Baucus).
46. See Congressional Record, volume 150, page S12048 (December 8, 2004) (statement of Senator John Breaux).
47. See Congressional Record, volume 151, pages S5264 and S5280 (May 17, 2005) (statements of Senators Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 151, pages S9410 and S9414 (July 29, 2005) (statements of Senators Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley).
48. See Congressional Record, volume 151, pages S9363 and S9366 (July 29, 2005) (statements of Senators Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley).
49. See Congressional Record, volume 152, pages S8763 and S8765 (August 3, 2006) (statements of Senators Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley).
50. See Congressional Record, volume 152, page S9610 (September 14, 2006) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 152, page S10813 (September 29, 2006) (statement of Senator Max Baucus).
51. See Congressional Record, volume 153, page S1493 (February 1, 2007) (statement of Senator Max Baucus); Congressional Record, volume 153, page S1572 (February 5, 2007) (statement of Senator Ted Kennedy).
52. See Congressional Record, volume 153, page S8289 (June 22, 2007) (statement of Senator Jeff Bingaman).
53. See Congressional Record, volume 153, page S10762 (August 2, 2007) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 153, page S12255 (September 27, 2007) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley).
54. See Congressional Record, volume 154, page S4241 (May 15, 2008) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley).
55. See Congressional Record, volume 154, page S9258 (September 23, 2008) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley).
56. See Manuel Roig-Franzia, “Positively Hush With Power,” The Washington Post, October 1, 2009, pages C1, C7; Congressional Record, volume 155, pages S13779 and S13781 (December 22, 2009) (statements of Senator Chris Dodd); Congressional Record, volume 155, page S13847 (December 23, 2009) (statement of Senator Tom Harkin); Congressional Record, volume 156, pages S2082 and S2085 (March 25, 2010) (statements of Senators Tom Harkin, Chris Dodd, Max Baucus, and Kent Conrad).
57. See Congressional Record, volume 158, page S337 (February 6, 2012) (statement of Senator Jay Rockefeller).
58. See Congressional Record, volume 158, page S2799 (April 26, 2012) (statement of Senator Patrick Leahy).
59. See Congressional Record, volume 158, page S4405 (June 21, 2012) (statement of Senator Debbie Stabenow).
60. See Congressional Record, volume 158, page S1645 (March 14, 2012) (statement of Senator Barbara Boxer); Congressional Record, volume 158, page S4750 (June 29, 2012) (statement of Senator Barbara Boxer).
61. See Congressional Record, volume 159, page S3498 (May 15, 2013) (statement of Senator Barbara Boxer).
62. See Congressional Record, volume 159, pages S5354 and S5479 (June 27, 2013) (statements of Senators Patrick Leahy and Chuck Schumer).
63. See “The Senate in Transition or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Nuclear Option,” N.Y.U. Journal of Legislation & Public Policy, volume 19 (number 4) (December 2016): pages 631–83.
64. See Congressional Record, volume 160, page S1632 (March 13, 2014) (statement of Senator Mary Landrieu).
65. See Congressional Record, volume 161, page S7603 (October 29, 2015) (statement of Senator Harry Reid).
66. See Congressional Record, volume 161, page S8839 (December 18, 2015) (statement of Senator Harry Reid).
67. Congressional Record, volume 168, page S9771 (December 21, 2022); Tara Golshan, “Bernie Sanders Has A Secret Weapon In Pushing Democratic Policy Through Senate: Veteran political aide Bill Dauster came out of retirement to pass some of Democrats’ biggest policy priorities,” HuffPost, March 18, 2021.
68. Congressional Record, volume 168, page S9771 (December 21, 2022); Byrd Nerds: Why the Byzantine Process of Budget Reconciliation Exists and How It Actually Works," Politico Playbook Deep Dive, Aug. 12, 2022.
69. The Congressional Budget Process. 1568 pages. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2022. (Senate print 117-23). Trade Promotion Authority Annotated. 289 pages. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2007. (Senate print 110-10). Budget Process Law Annotated: 1993 Edition. 857 pages. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1993. (Senate print 103-49). Budget Process Law Annotated. 726 pages. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1991. (Senate Print 102-22). Congressional Budget Act Annotated. 665 pages. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1990. (Senate Print 101-86).
70. "To Get to Justice, First Provide Sanctuary," Washington Jewish Week, August 1, 2024, page 34; "Does God Get Inside Your Head?" Washington Jewish Week, February 1, 2024, page 23; "Why Help Those in Need?" Washington Jewish Week, August 10, 2023; "Why Did Eliezer Change His Story?" Washington Jewish Week, Nov. 17, 2022, page 24; Remembering Sen. Harry Reid, Soft-Spoken Man of Consequence," Talking Points Memo, December 29, 2021, 2:05 PM; "Work-Torah Balance," Washington Jewish Week, July 29, 2021, page 21; "Parshat Eikev: Work-Torah Balance," Baltimore Jewish Times, July 30, 2021; “What’s God Like?” Washington Jewish Week, March 4, 2021, page 32; “Congress Should Use the Budget To Raise the Minimum Wage,” Roll Call, Jan. 22, 2021; “Chuck Schumer Must Abolish the Filibuster — It’s the Jewish Thing To Do,” The Forward, Jan. 21, 2021; "The Great Holdup: How the Senate and the Filibuster Thwart Gun Legislation Most Americans Want," Legislation and Policy Brief (of the American University Washington College of Law), volume 9 (number 1) (May 2020), pages 37–56; "When Leaders Do Wrong," Washington Jewish Week, March 26, 2020, page 35; "Why Didn’t God Stop Them?" Washington Jewish Week, Jan. 9, 2020, page 31; "Five Questions about Ethics in Political Communication," George Washington University Project on Ethics in Political Communication, July 24, 2019; "What Was So Bad About Korach?" Washington Jewish Week, July 4, 2019, page 21; "Who Is Our Neighbor?" Washington Jewish Week, May 9, 2019, page 28; "Breaking News: He Admitted He Was Wrong," Washington Jewish Week, November 29, 2018, page 24; “Back to College!” Congregation Beth El Scroll, October 2018, pages 3–4; "Why Is Justice Important?" Washington Jewish Week, July 19, 2018, page 28; reprinted Aug. 8, 2019, p. 30; "Seeing Our Way Clear of Corruption," Baltimore Jewish Times, January 31, 2018; "Pharaoh’s Administration Offers a Cautionary Tale for Today," Washington Jewish Week, January 11, 2018, page 19; "Mixed Feelings About Kingship," Congregation Beth El Scroll, July-August 2017, page 6; “The Senate in Transition or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Nuclear Option,” N.Y.U. Journal of Legislation & Public Policy, volume 19 (number 4) (December 2016): pages 631–83; “Why Study with a Torah Study Group?” Congregation Beth El Scroll, May 2015, pages 4–6; “Frankly Left-Handed,” Congregation Beth El Scroll, March 2010, page 4; “The Congressional Budget Process,” chapter 1 in Fiscal Challenges: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Budget Policy, edited by Elizabeth Garrett, Howell Jackson, and Elizabeth Graddy, pages 4–38 (Cambridge University Press, 2008); Byrd Rule Annotated, October 2005; “We Cannot Buy Golden Opportunities With Tin-Cup Budgets” (with Paul Wellstone), The Progressive, January 1999, pages 44–47; “The Monster that Ate the United States Senate,” Public Budgeting & Finance, volume 18 (Summer 1998), pages 87–93; “Trickle Down Snake Oil System,” The Sunday Journal (of suburban Washington, D.C.), January 5, 1997, page A4; “Clinton Rewards Loyalty with More of the Same,” The Sunday Journal, December 29, 1996, page A4; “Diet COLA Will Be Hard To Swallow,” The Sunday Journal, December 22, 1996, page A4; “Love Is Blind: People Should Honor All Kinds of Marriages,” The Sunday Journal, December 15, 1996, page A4; “Privatizing Social Security a Risk,” The Sunday Journal, December 8, 1996, page A4; “Thanksgiving Is a Reminder that Life Here Is Pretty Good,” The Sunday Journal, December 1, 1996, page A4; “It’s Not Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: The Senate Filibuster Ain’t What it Used To Be,” Washington Monthly, November 1996, pages 34–36; “Campaign Financing a High Price To Pay,” The Sunday Journal, November 24, 1996, page A4; “Who Needs Term Limits When We’ve Got Elections?” The Sunday Journal, November 17, 1996, page A4; “Clinton’s Bid To Make History,” The Sunday Journal, November 10, 1996, page A4; “High Stakes for Foreign Policy in Senate Elections,” The Sunday Journal, November 3, 1996, page A4; “Ending Corporate Tax Breaks,” The Sunday Journal, October 27, 1996, page A4; “The Page-Turning Tomes of Presidential Candidates (Yawn),” The Sunday Journal, October 20, 1996, page A4; “Newt’s Congress Talks Big Game but Strikes Out on Delivery,” The Sunday Journal, October 13, 1996, page A4; “Five-Man Senate? Rewriting the Rules on Conferences,” Roll Call, October 10, 1996, page 5; “The Government Shrank, but No One Really Cared,” The Sunday Journal, September 29, 1996, page A4; “Education or Catastrophe? Congress Battling Legislation,” The Sunday Journal, September 22, 1996, page A4; “Dole’s Tax Cuts: U.S. Bankruptcy or Economic Gain,” The Sunday Journal, September 15, 1996, page A4; “Senate E-Mail Rules Are No Joke,” The Hill, September 11, 1996, page 19; “Protecting Social Security and Medicare,” Harvard Journal on Legislation, volume 33 (Summer 1996), pages 461–509; “The Day the Senate Died: Budget Measure Weakens Minority,” Roll Call, May 30, 1996, page 5, reprinted in Congressional Record, volume 142, pages S6135–36 (June 12, 1996); “Who Will Care for Our Matthews? The Governors’ Proposals for Medicaid, Welfare Remove the Safety Net for Those Who Cannot Care for Themselves,” Los Angeles Times, March 25, 1996, page B5; “Budget Process Issues for 1993,” Journal of Law & Politics (of the University of Virginia School of Law), volume 9 (Fall 1992), pages 9–38; “Budget Emergencies,” Journal of Legislation (of Notre Dame Law School), volume 18 (Spring 1992), pages 249–315.
71. Penn in Washington, "Faculty Bio: Bill Dauster."
72. American University, "William Dauster."
73. Congressional Staff Directory: 2006/Summer, page 899. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2006. ISBN 0-87289-231-X.
74. “Ellen Weintraub Wed to William G. Dauster,” The New York Times, May 11, 1986, section 1, part 2, page 48.
75. See “Why Study with a Torah Study Group?” Congregation Beth El Scroll, May 2015, pages 4–6.
76. See Casey Hynes, “Staffers Seek Hill Inspiration,” Roll Call, January 6, 2009, pages 28, 30; Bree Hocking and Daniel Heim, “Reaching Out to the Hill’s Many Faiths,” Roll Call, June 11, 2007, pages 31–33 (photo of the Torah study group on page 32); Jane Mayer, "The Slime Machine Targeting Dozens of Biden Nominees," The New Yorker, April 16, 2022.
77. For profiles of Dauster’s Torah Wikipedia editing, see Dan Schere, "How Bill Dauster coped with Capitol Hill stress," Washington Jewish Week, June 14, 2017; David Gutman. “Senate Staffer Writes on U.S. Law by Day, Jewish Law by Night.” La Crosse Tribune. (September 29, 2012). Similar stories ran in The Detroit News; The Herald-Sun of Durham, North Carolina; The News & Observer of Raleigh, North Carolina; The Telegraph of Macon, Georgia; The Herald of Rock Hill, South Carolina; the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin; The Bellingham Herald; the Idaho Statesman; the Billings Gazette; The State of Columbia, South Carolina; the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin; The Observer of Corning, New York; The Paducah Sun; the Tri-City Herald of Kennewick, Washington; the Ledger-Enquirer of Columbus, Georgia; The Bradenton Herald; The Beaufort Gazette; Politico; “Senate Legal Expert Drawn to Torah Produced Detailed Web Analysis of Scripture,” Press-Register (of Mobile County, Alabama) (October 5, 2012), page 2D; “Senate Legal Expert Drawn to Torah Produced Detailed Web Analysis of Scripture,” The Birmingham News (October 5, 2012), page 2H; Star-News (of Wilmington, North Carolina), (September 29, 2012), page 6B; “Torah Study Labor of Love for Senate Staffer,” The Monterey County Herald (September 29, 2012); “Senate Staffer Writes on U.S. Law by Day, Jewish Law by Night,” Deseret News (September 29, 2012); “Washington: Senior Aide to Harry Reid Writes About Torah Law After Hours,” Vos Iz Neias? (September 29, 2012); “US Law by Day, Jewish Law by Night; Senate Staffer Has Produced Some of the Web's Most Detailed Analysis of the Torah,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (September 28, 2012), page A-6; “Senate Staffer Writes on U.S. Law by Day, Jewish Law by Night,” Press & Dakotan (of Yankton, South Dakota) (September 28, 2012), page 6A; “Senate Staffer Writes on U.S. Law by Day, Jewish Law by Night,” The Kansas City Star (September 27, 2012); “Senate Staffer Writes on U.S. Law by Day, Jewish Law by Night,” The Charlotte Observer (September 26, 2012); “Senate Staffer Writes on U.S. Law by Day, Jewish Law by Night,” The Sacramento Bee (September 26, 2012); “Senate Staffer Writes on U.S. Law by Day, Jewish Law by Night,” Sun Herald (of Biloxi, Mississippi) (September 26, 2012). For another profile, see Marilyn Werber Serafini, “Nose in the Scrolls,” National Journal, Oct. 11, 2008.

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