WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today announced that the committee majority’s current deputy staff director Nick Rossi will succeed the departing David Schwietert as majority staff director.

“Having served three years as deputy staff director, Nick is already in the thick of the committee’s many policy and oversight initiatives on behalf of the American people,” said Thune. “His leadership and experience will be invaluable in advancing the committee’s many priorities in the new year.”

Rossi, a native of Ohio, has worked as a staff member on four Senate committees since 2006, including service as minority staff director of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and chief counsel of the Commerce Committee. Prior to his Senate career, he worked for over a decade at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Earlier today, Sen. Thune took to the Senate floor to thank outgoing committee staff director – and Rapid City, S.D., native – David Schwietert for more than a decade of service on his staff as legislative director, a subcommittee staff director on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and both minority and majority full committee staff director on the Commerce Committee. Said Thune on the Senate floor:

"Dave is the kind of staffer you always hope to get as a member. He has a brilliant mind – his memory for the most arcane details of any policy is almost legendary …. Throughout his time on the Commerce Committee, he’s never forgotten about the needs of South Dakota families, farmers, and businesses – that’s always been forefront in his mind. I’m grateful for that, and I know there are a lot of South Dakotans who are grateful for the bills he’s helped pass.”

Click here to watch Sen. Thune’s remarks recognizing Schwietert on the Senate floor.

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), the committee’s ranking member also wished Schwietert well. “Over the course of his many years working in the Senate, I have found Dave to be a dedicated and excellent public servant – and I wish him well in the future,” said Nelson.