10.20.10

Conrad Announces Appointment Of New Committee Counsel

Washington, DC - Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) announced the appointment of Joseph Gaeta as the new General Counsel for the Senate Budget Committee. Gaeta replaces Lisa Konwinski, who left the Committee to join President Obama's White House staff as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs.

"I am very pleased that Joe Gaeta has joined my Budget Committee staff," said Chairman Conrad. "Joe's experience and knowledge will be a great asset to the Committee as we work to address the tremendous budget challenges facing our nation."

As Counsel, Gaeta will be responsible for all legal and parliamentary issues to come before the Committee, including drafting legislative language and assisting in the enforcement of Senate budget rules and procedures.

Gaeta joins the Budget Committee after serving for the last four-and-a-half years as a Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He previously served as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General and as a Special Master and Law Clerk for Judge Myron Thompson of the federal district court in Montgomery, Alabama. Gaeta holds a law degree from Stanford Law School, a masters degree in political theory from the London School of Economics, and an undergraduate degree in history and economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

###

Press Contact: Stu Nagurka (202) 224-7436
Steve Posner (202) 224-7925