Scott Lilly

Scott Lilly is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress who writes and researches in a wide range of areas including governance, federal budgeting, national security, and the economy. He is also an adjunct professor for the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. Lilly joined American Progress in March of 2004 and has remained affiliated with the organization since that time. In January of 2015 his affiliation changed from a resident to a non-resident fellow. Prior to joining CAP he worked for 31 years with the United States Congress during which time he served as clerk and staff director of the House Appropriations Committee, minority staff director of that Committee, executive director of the House Democratic Study Group, executive director of the Joint Economic Committee, and chief of staff in the Office of Congressman David Obey (D-WI). Prior to his service with the Congress, Lilly served as director of campaign services for the Democratic National Committee, central states coordinator in the McGovern Presidential Campaign, and as a bill drafter for the Missouri legislature. He served two years in the U.S. Army and is a graduate of Westminster College in Fulton, MO. Between 2003 and 2007 he was an adjunct professor with the Public Policy Institute at Georgetown University. During his career, Lilly has been involved with a broad range of policy issues across the spectrum of government activities. These have included counterterrorism; school reform; support and oversight of federal scientific endeavors; and improving overseas diplomatic security. He has worked on various efforts to reform the legislative process in Congress and served as a political and legislative strategist to the Democratic members of the Appropriations Committee and the House Democratic Leadership.