Katie Bailey is the White House’s new chief liaison to Congress. President Trump offered her the director’s job at the Office of Legislative Affairs on Friday, and she took it, CBS News reported, citing multiple sources.
She steps into the post as James Braid leaves. Vice President JD Vance announced Braid’s departure last month, and his last day is Tuesday. On Saturday night Trump confirmed the choice on Truth Social, writing that Bailey “will be fantastic, and work tirelessly with Congress to pass Bills that help, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.” He called Braid’s work “fabulous” and said he is headed to the private sector, where he “will be very successful.”
A tough job, by Vance’s account
Vance had called the legislative director’s role “one of the toughest jobs in the entire Administration.” He credited Braid with a long list: the largest tax cut ever, resources for Trump’s immigration agenda and the border wall, the defeat of two Democratic shutdowns, a first landmark crypto bill and the fastest cabinet confirmations in decades.
Bailey is not new to the building. She already serves as special assistant to the president and deputy director of legislative affairs. Before that she was legislative director for Indiana Republican Sen. Mike Braun through his six-year term, which ended in January 2025 when he was elected governor.
The timing matters. The midterms are less than a month away, and Republicans hold slim majorities in both the House and Senate, either of which could flip to the Democrats. CBS News has asked the White House for comment.
