[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 142 (Thursday, September 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6038-S6039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DOUG ANDRES

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, finally, to folks around the Senate--or 
Twitter, as I understand--this last one needs no introduction: my 
trusted press secretary, Doug Andres. Doug is,

[[Page S6039]]

without a doubt, the most skilled navigator of the Capitol Hill press 
corps a Senator could hope for.
  I hired him specifically for his reputation as an unmatched flack. 
Over his years in the Speaker's office, he had already tilted 
successfully with the House and executive branch press corps, and I had 
a feeling he would do the same here in the Senate. Boy, was I right. It 
may have something to do with his disarming, deadpan wit. It certainly 
helps that Doug is the kind of guy everyone wants to be friends with 
outside of work.
  Whatever the reason, Doug has got an uncanny nose for news. He is 
consistently able to predict stories that are still miles off and 
around the bend. Frankly, I shudder to think how many headaches he 
could create for the rest of us if he wanted to switch sides.
  For now, there is only one thing I ever worry could distract Doug 
from his duties as my early warning system with the press, and that is 
his growing role as ringleader of a group of prominent figures who 
actually share his name. We had a Doug running for President earlier 
this year, and another one is the Second Gentleman. But there is no 
doubt that the heart and soul of the ``Doug Caucus'' is right here in 
the Senate, and I know my entire team sleeps safer with Doug on the 
job.
  So, Doug, thank you for everything.
  Mr. President, I will need another few speeches to adequately thank 
the whole team around me in the leader's office for all of their 
outstanding work--work that is not nearly finished. It is a great 
problem to have, and I will have much more to say soon.

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