Inside the Office of Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio): Patrick Velliky

Patrick Velliky

Title: Legislative assistant

Age: 25

Hometown: Pittsburgh

Education: Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, B.A. in history and political science

Last job: Deputy legislative director, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.)

Legislative specialty: My real interest is in tech, foreign affairs and defense

Favorite bill or law: Not what you’re looking for, but relevant — Godwin’s Law. It states that on a long enough timeline, every argument eventually reaches a Hitler/Nazi analogy.

If you could create a new committee or subcommittee, what would it be?: The Select Committee on Widespread Speculation

Most embarrassing moment on Capitol Hill: I laughed out loud in the staff meeting when it was announced that Sen. Specter would be changing parties. I didn’t know what else to do. I had joined his staff only days beforehand, and it seemed like the most appropriate response at the time.

Interests outside of work:  Biking, traveling and trying new food.

Patrick Velliky followed former Sen. Arlen Specter’s (D-Pa.) career closely before going to work for him, and even called him a role model. He told his friends in college that his goal was to work for Specter in Washington.

He landed a job as the senator’s floor monitor, and four days later, the lawmaker switched political parties.

“As far as I was concerned, it still said ‘Sen. Arlen Specter’ on the door,” said Velliky, who now works as a legislative assistant for Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio). “He was the same guy.”

Velliky said he learned a lot from Specter, who was notorious for being a tough boss, and made his way up to deputy legislative director before the lawmaker’s Senate career came to an end.

Velliky now carries over his legislative expertise to the House and has called his transition from the Senate a smooth one.