Obey is the latest to head from the Capitol Hill to K Street. David Obey heading to K Street

Former House Appropriations Chairman David Obey is walking the well-worn path between Capitol Hill and K Street, POLITICO has learned.

Obey will join former House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt’s lobbying shop on Monday, bringing a master of the federal funding process on board at a time of renewed economic austerity on Capitol Hill.


The Wisconsin Democrat, who served for more than four decades in the House, sat at the helm of the committee that decides where and how taxpayer money would be spent, giving him unique insights into how to win federal money for clients, especially in an age of earmark bans and spending cuts. He’ll also work on health, education, energy, transportation, trade and defense issues.

“Obey was a great legislator in the truest sense of the word. There isn’t an issue that hasn’t crossed his path nor is there an economic sector that he hasn’t had to work with,” Tom O’Donnell, managing partner of Gephardt Government Affairs, said in an email to POLITICO. “And over time, he’s worked with different political configurations in the House, Senate and the White House. We are very fortunate to have him on board.”

In a statement to POLITICO, Gephardt said, “I could not be more thrilled to welcome Dave to the firm. He’s been a longtime friend and, as former chairman of the Appropriations Committee, no one knows the federal government’s funding process better than he does. I’ve long admired his ability to negotiate, problem-solve and develop legislative strategy: he will be an incredible asset to our team.”

Former lawmakers who understand the appropriations process are highly valued, especially someone as wired and influential as Obey. Insiders understand that money that used to be tagged for earmarks isn’t going away; it’s just moving. Instead of lawmakers designating it for hometown projects, government agencies and departments will dole it out through contracts and grants.

Other former appropriators have been in demand on K Street recently.

Arent Fox hired former Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Bob Bennett (R-Utah) just days after they left Congress and Thompson Coburn hired newly retired Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.). Both Bond and Dorgan have said they don’t plan to lobby once the two-year ban expires.

It’s unclear if Obey will lobby after the cooling-off period expires. He was unavailable for comment Friday.

Scott Amey of the government watchdog group the Project On Government Oversight has said “former appropriators are huge gets for lobbying firms.”

“They have the knowledge necessary to maneuver clients through the Senate as well as the appropriate federal agencies,” he said earlier this year. “They can easily provide a boost to clients looking for federal funds.”