Oil industry group snags two House GOP aides

The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) has hired a pair of House GOP staffers to promote oil-and-gas development in Western states and the Gulf of Mexico.

The industry lobbying group said Tuesday that it’s expanding its government affairs staff by adding Mallori McClure, who was an aide to Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), and Samantha McDonald, who worked for Rep. John Fleming (R-La.).

“Mallori’s and Samantha’s experience on Capitol Hill, both advising legislators who not only sat on the House Natural Resources Committee, but who represent important energy-producing states primes them perfectly to advocate for America’s independent oil and natural gas producers inside the Beltway,” said IPAA President Barry Russell in a statement.

McClure has also worked in the Senate as an aide to the Republican Policy Committee, and “will be expanding outreach to oil and natural gas producers in the West,” especially Texas, IPAA said.

McDonald will focus on offshore oil-and-gas development in the southeast, where industry groups want the chance to drill in Atlantic waters that are currently off-limits, and the Gulf of Mexico, where drilling already occurs.