Political Quotes

“I wish to also say a few words about another career public servant. He is not leaving public service, but he is leaving the chief of staff's position in my office. Mark Powden has been my chief of staff since 2009. He started with Senator Jeffords when Senator Jeffords was a Republican and then became an Independent. Mark Powden grew up in Vermont, where he worked for his own State congressman and senator. Mark later became the staff director for the Republicans. In fact, he was the staff director for the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee as it went through its transition to a new name. He was with Senator Jeffords when Senator Jeffords switched parties in 2001. Mark, as I said, has served as my chief of staff for more than 6 years now and will move over and be the staff director for the banking committee. At the same time, he will take with him Graham Steele, who served ably as my legislative assistant, and will also take his assistant Megan Cheney to the banking committee. Graham will be chief counsel, and Megan will be a legislative aide in the Senate banking committee. My thanks especially to Mark Powden for the terrific work he has done as my chief of staff, and I am thrilled he is going to stay with me to do the very important job of staff director as I become ranking member of the Senate banking committee. ____________________”