Shawn P Maher

With legislative connections and a strong background in banking, Maher is well-positioned for his new job: deputy director of legislative Affairs for the U.S. Senate. In that position, Maher will play a crucial role in pushing President Barack Obama's goals through Congress. He will probably start with the President's stimulus package, a $700 billion combination of spending, infrastructure improvements, and tax cuts. Maher will use the skills he picked up as Sen. Christopher J. Dodd’s (D-Conn.) top aide on the powerful Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. He was a key player in crafting the controversial $700 billion financial bailout plan. He was at the center of turning Bush Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s spare, three-page proposal to rescue the nation’s financial system into a 450-page behemoth that could be embraced by both Democrats and Republicans.