Washington, DC – Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) today announced senior staff changes and a restructuring of the Ways and Means Committee.  The moves follow current Ways and Means Staff Director Jon Traub’s decision to depart the Hill at the end of January to seek new, yet to be determined opportunities in the private sector.  

In order to provide continuity for Members and build on a strong 2011, Camp will utilize a trifecta of personnel to lead the Ways and Means Committee going forward:

• Jennifer Safavian, the committee’s General Counsel will also assume the role of Staff Director, coordinating daily activities and administrative duties.
• Sage Eastman, Camp’s long time communications lead and current Deputy Staff Director, will be named Strategy and Public Affairs Director with the responsibility for coordinating policy and messaging.  
• Warren Payne, currently the Committee’s Chief Economist and Senior Economic Advisor, will be named Policy Director with the responsibility of working with the Subcommittee Staff Directors to develop the Committee’s policies, as well as coordinating those policies with House leadership.
  

In making the news public, Camp stated, “Jon Traub has been a critical part of the many successes at the Ways and Means Committee for the past five years.  Starting as Chief Tax Counsel under my good friend Jim McCrery and serving as Staff Director for me in the minority and majority, Jon’s exceptional knowledge of policy and the Hill has been a tremendous asset.  I want to thank Jon for his tireless service, especially the additional work he shouldered during the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.  He is a true public servant and I know every Member of the Committee, Republican and Democrat alike, as well as the staff, relied upon his advice.   

“Ways and Means had a tremendous year in 2011 focused on creating job opportunities for the American people – from repealing job-killing provisions in ObamaCare to jumpstarting tax reform to the largest expansion of trade in 15 years – and I expect to improve on that record in 2012.  I like to think of the Committee as BCS Champions for the 2011 season, and while our senior quarterback is moving on, we are a talented team and I am confident about 2012.  I wish Jon, his wife Jean, and their son Matthew, the very best.  

“To our new captains, and every member of the team: there is no off-season – the work and the fun begins immediately.  I have every confidence that Jennifer’s steady hand and knowledge of committee operations in the House will be a benefit to our Members and the entire staff.  Sage has been a trusted advisor and his knowledge of media relations and ability to see the end goal are critical to my operations.  Warren, having toiled through Bowles-Simpson and the supercommittee, has worked closely with every member of the team and is highly adept at all the issues before the Committee.  I know they will continue to serve as ably as they have throughout their careers, and that 2012 will bring even more victories for our Committee and the American people.”