Katie Bailey tapped as new White House legislative director, sources say

The White House has appointed Katie Bailey as the new chief liaison to Congress, in anticipation of the upcoming midterm elections, according to multiple sources. President Trump offered the position of director of the Office of Legislative Affairs to Bailey on Friday, and she accepted the role. Bailey will replace James Braid, who resigned last month as White House Legislative Director.

Braid, according to Vice President JD Vance, had a demanding job in the administration, playing a critical role in achieving significant accomplishments in Congress. These include the largest tax cut in history, resources to implement the President's immigration agenda, the completion of the border wall, defeating two Democratic-led shutdowns, a groundbreaking crypto bill, and the fastest confirmation of cabinet members in decades.

Bailey's task might be even more challenging. She accepts the role less than a month before the pivotal midterm elections, which could potentially shift control of both the House and Senate from the current Republican majority to the Democrats. Despite this challenging circumstance, Bailey brings a wealth of experience within the current White House.

She currently serves as both a special assistant to the president and the deputy director of legislative affairs. Prior to her current role, Bailey worked as the legislative director for Indiana Republican Senator Mike Braun during his six-year tenure in office, which ended in January 2025 when Braun won the governorship of his state.