Bill Harper

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Bill harper Headshot

Bill Harper is a Minnesota-based government affairs consultant specializing in federal policy and congressional appropriations. Harper retired from the U.S. House of Representatives in February 2023 after serving 22-years as chief of staff to Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN04), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. Harper has vast experience advancing both domestic and national security policy initiatives while also driving a robust appropriations agenda, especially during Rep. McCollum’s tenure as chair of the Interior, Environment Appropriations subcommittee in the 116th Congress and chair of the Defense Appropriations subcommittee in the 117th Congress. In his role as chief of staff, Harper directed the effort to restore funding to Save America’s Treasures, protect and increase funding for the NEA, and helped to secure over $9 million in community project funding in FY2023 to arts organizations in Minnesota’s 4th congressional district.

Prior to the U.S. House, Harper served as campaign manager for Betty McCollum’s first race for Congress in 2000, at the time making her only the second woman ever elected to federal office in Minnesota history.