Former Senator Olympia Snowe Joins the Bipartisan Policy Center

Maine Senator will also co-chair new Commission on Political Reform

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) announced today that former Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) is joining the organization as a senior fellow.  Senator Snowe will co-chair BPC's newly formed Commission on Political Reform.

"We are delighted that Senator Snowe has decided to follow her distinguished career in public service by joining with us at the Bipartisan Policy Center," said BPC's President Jason Grumet.  "We welcome her independent voice, passionate ideals, collaborative instinct and wise counsel.  BPC's new Commission on Political Reform will benefit greatly from Senator Snowe's practical knowledge and passion for effective government."

The Commission on Political Reform's diverse group of 30 American leaders will conduct a series of "National Conversations on American Unity" to understand the causes and consequences of America's partisan political divide.  The group will develop specific reforms to help Americans achieve shared national goals.

Senator Snowe was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994 after serving sixteen years in the U.S. House of Representatives.  In 2001, she was the first Republican woman ever to secure a full-term seat on the Senate Finance Committee, and only the third woman in history to join the panel.

Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell, BPC combines politically-balanced policymaking with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach. As the only Washington, DC-based think tank that actively promotes bipartisanship, BPC works to address the key challenges facing the nation.

"I couldn't be more pleased and excited to join this dynamic and growing organization, whose mission is absolutely essential at this moment of unparalleled polarization in our nation, and certainly in our government," Snowe said. "Joining the Bipartisan Policy Center is a natural extension of my efforts to achieve results throughout my tenure in Congress, and it provides an ideal means for developing strategies that can garner the broad support necessary to achieve real solutions to the challenges confronting our nation." 

"Her commitment to public service deserves tremendous praise," said BPC Founder and former Senator George Mitchell. "I'm pleased to welcome a fellow Maine Senator to the Bipartisan Policy Center.  Olympia will be a strong voice for the organization as it works to restore America's trust in government."

John Richter, Senator Snowe's long-time aide and Chief of Staff for nearly ten years, will also be joining BPC as a Senior Advisor. Richter has been closely involved in every major policy debate in the Senate over nearly two decades, and brings a frontline understanding of how our current government works and the changes necessary for Congress to once again function effectively.

During her time in Congress, Senator Snowe also held leadership positions on the Senate Committees on Small Business and Entrepreneurship as former chair and ranking member; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Foreign Relations; Budget; Armed Services; and Intelligence. In the House of Representatives, she served on the Budget Committee; Foreign Affairs Committee, and the former House Select Committee on Aging.  Prior to being elected to the U.S. Congress, Snowe served in both Houses of the Maine Legislature.

"Members of Congress, as well as Americans, of differing views need to get back to talking to one another and working together," said Senator Trent Lott, a BPC Senior Fellow.  "Senator Snowe has long demonstrated the ability to work with arch conservatives, hard-line liberals and everyone in between. She'll be a great addition to BPC."

For more information about BPC's new Commission on Political Reform, please visit: www.bipartisanpolicy.org. 

About the Bipartisan Policy Center:

Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a non-profit organization that drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation, and respectful dialogue. With projects in multiple issue areas, BPC combines politically-balanced policymaking with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach.  For more information, please visit our website: www.bipartisanpolicy.org.

SOURCE Bipartisan Policy Center

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