David M. Dailey

David Dailey draws on more than 20 years of experience on Capitol Hill advising on legislative, policy, and appropriations matters. He brings deep experience in legislative strategy, policy development, and coalition building, helping clients navigate the federal policy and funding landscape.

Prior to joining Steptoe, David served as chief of staff and counsel to Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce. As the Congressman's senior advisor, David managed all aspects of the office's legislative, communications, and administrative operations, and advised on a wide range of issues pending before Congress. 

David has extensive experience with the federal budget and appropriations process, including budget resolutions, reconciliation legislation, discretionary spending negotiations, and the development of legislative strategy. Having served as Congressman Scott's budget associate during the Congressman's tenure on the House Budget Committee, he developed a deep familiarity with the federal budget process and its procedural and strategic dimensions. He served as the principal staff lead drafting the Congressional Black Caucus's (CBC) annual alternative budget resolution, working closely with CBC leadership, members and staff, and outside stakeholders to develop the Caucus's fiscal priorities and translate those priorities into a comprehensive budget framework, while navigating the diverse fiscal priorities of one of Congress's most influential caucuses. His work required navigating the intersections among spending, revenue, tax policy, entitlement programs, and the procedural rules governing consideration of legislation in the House.

Throughout his congressional career, David advised on major tax and economic policy matters, including the Middle-Class Tax Relief Act of 2010, the Budget Control Act of 2011, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, the 2013 and 2015 Bipartisan Budget Acts, and the Inflation Reduction Act. He also worked extensively on defense and national security issues, including annual defense authorization and appropriations legislation, military and veterans' priorities, national security policy, shipbuilding and maritime industrial base issues, and matters affecting federal installations and defense communities in Virginia.

David also has significant experience with congressional investigations and oversight. As former counsel to the then-Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor during the 116^thand 117^thCongresses, he worked closely with the committee's senior staff on oversight strategy and preparing for high-profile committee hearings involving executive branch agencies and private-sector witnesses. During his work with the committee, he advised on numerous major legislative efforts, including COVID-19 relief legislation, the American Rescue Plan Act, reauthorizations of critical programs under the committee's jurisdiction, and long-term policy initiatives impacting millions of Americans.

Drawing on decades of experience in Congress, David is recognized for his ability to navigate complex political environments, build bipartisan coalitions, and translate policy objectives into practical, results-oriented solutions. Clients benefit from David's firsthand understanding of how Congress makes decisions, how Members and committees evaluate competing priorities, and how to effectively engage policymakers at every stage of the legislative process. His work on appropriations and federal funding matters provides clients with valuable insight into opportunities to advance their priorities before Congress and the executive branch.

A native of Norfolk, Virginia, David earned his J.D., cum laude, from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and his B.A. in Political Science from American University.