Biden’s top legislative director to step down

Louisa Terrell, a top aide to President Joe Biden and his director of legislative affairs, plans to step down from her position.

The White House announced the departure, which POLITICO was first to report, in a statement Friday from the president.

“Over the past two and a half years, Louisa has been instrumental in the historic, monumental, and life-changing legislation we have delivered to the American people,” Biden said.

Terrell, who has been with Biden since the start of his presidency, played a key role in getting his key legislative priorities passed, including the bipartisan infrastructure bill and last year’s Inflation Reduction Act.

As the president gears up for reelection, and the opportunities for pushing additional legislation through the House dwindles after Republicans regained control of the chamber, speculation about Terrell’s departure had grown for months. She stayed in the job well into Biden’s third year largely to deal with the high-stakes negotiations with Republicans over spending and the debt ceiling increase.

“Louisa’s steady hand and perseverance have consistently helped get key priorities over the finish line,” said Biden, who also credited Terrell for working to secure the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Terrell plans to depart at the end of July.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said his caucus members are "tremendously grateful" to Terrell for her partnership over the last two years.

"From the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the Inflation Reduction Act to averting a catastrophic default on our debt, Louisa has been there with us every step of the way," he said in a statement. "She is a dedicated public servant and trusted friend of House Democrats and we wish her the best as she embarks on this next chapter.”

A Delaware native, Terrell first met Biden when she was 5 years old. She also attended kindergarten with the president’s son, Beau, who died of a brain tumor in 2015. Terrell started working for Biden when he was a senator as a counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee. She also served as his deputy chief of staff in his personal Senate office.