Chairman Walden’s Chief of Staff to Depart

House Commerce Committee Chairman-to-be Greg Walden (R-OR) is losing his longtime chief of staff. Brian MacDonald, Walden's top aide for the last 18 years, announced that he's set to start a new chapter and relinquish his role by the end of December 2016. MacDonald was a key architect of Walden's bid for the Commerce Committee gavel. "He is one of the hardest-working, most professional, and loyal chiefs on the Hill," Chairman Walden said. MacDonald's goodbye announcement said that Lorissa Bounds will be his replacement in Walden's personal office. No word yet on his next steps.