July 09,2004

Baucus Announces New Addition to Finance Committee: Melissa Mueller Joins Democratic Committee Staff as Tax Counsel

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) U.S. Senator Max Baucus today announced that Melissa Muellerjoined the Senate Finance Committee staff on July 6. She will be handling individual tax issues,financial products, military tax issues, intellectual property, and education tax issues for thecommittee.

Ms. Mueller comes to the Finance Committee staff as Tax Counsel, leaving the positionof Legislative Director for Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), a senior member of the House Ways andMeans Committee. Three years prior her work with Rep. Neal, she served as Counsel for Waysand Means member Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX). Her experience on Capitol Hill also includespositions with Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX).

She filled the post of Assistant Attorney General for the Texas Attorney General,working in Washington on federal cases and legislative matters. She also worked in the firstyear of the Clinton Administration in the Justice Department for Attorney General Janet Reno.

“Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge to the Finance Committee team,” Baucus said.“Her background in tax related issues and extensive experience here on Capitol Hill will beinvaluable while creating and negotiating tax legislation.”

Ms. Mueller is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she earned aBachelor of Business Administration in finance and a law degree. She is married to lobbyist andformer Capitol Hill staffer, Steve Gallagher, with whom she shares 5- month old twins, Pennyand Liam. She hails from San Antonio, Texas.