Van Ness Feldman LLP is pleased to announce that Baxter Carr, former Professional Staff Member for Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, has joined the firm as Senior Director of Governmental Issues.

Mr. Carr brings over a decade of federal legislative and regulatory experience to the firm, having served as a Professional Staff Member for EPW where he led fisheries, wildlife, and energy portfolios. As both Majority and Minority Committee Staff for Senator Capito, Baxter planned and led committee hearings, drafted legislation on behalf of the Chairman, and provided strategic policy recommendations to Senate offices both on and off the Committee. Prior to joining the EPW Committee, Mr. Carr spent his first seven years in the Senator’s personal office, leading a broad portfolio, where he successfully drafted and advanced key legislative priorities for Senator Capito, including one of her crowning achievements, the establishment of the country’s 63rd National Park, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Most recently, Baxter played a key role in advancing major energy projects, including leading efforts on behalf of the Chairman in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to preserve the 45V hydrogen production tax credit.

Announcing Baxter’s arrival, the firm’s Public Policy practice Co-Chair Shannon Angielski, said, “We are thrilled to have Baxter on our government relations team. His expertise in navigating complex legislative processes and building stakeholder and Congressional support for a wide range of policies will be a tremendous asset to our clients. We look forward to Baxter’s contributions as we continue to expand our public policy capabilities.”

Mr. Carr’s involvement on the Committee’s permitting reform team and his work supporting Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) projects and initiatives, highlights his commitment to crafting and advocating for effective, bipartisan policy solutions and he will immediately utilize these experiences in Congress to provide clients with policy guidance and strategic advice on energy, natural resources, and federal funding policy issues.

Mr. Carr holds a Master’s degree in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree from Marshall University. He can be reached at 202-738-7235 or via email at bcarr@vnf.com.