Speakers

Andrew Desiderio, Punchbowl News

Andrew is currently a Senior Congressional Reporter for Punchbowl News, covering the Senate, national security and foreign policy. Before joining Punchbowl News, Andrew was a congressional reporter for Politico. He previously covered House investigations and oversight of the Trump administration. Before joining POLITICO, Andrew was a reporter for The Daily Beast, where he covered Congress with a focus on national security, foreign affairs and Senate campaigns. He previously worked at BBC News and RealClearPolitics. He is a graduate of The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, where he studied journalism and Italian language and literature.

Congressman Tom Emmer

Previously serving as Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) for the 116th Congress and again for the 117th Congress, Rep. Emmer was elected by his fellow Republican colleagues to be the House Majority Whip, leading the alignment of the party's legislative agenda. Currently, he sits on the House Financial Services Committee. 

Born in 1961, Tom grew up in Minnesota and attended St. Thomas Academy. He received his BA in Political Science from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and his JD from William Mitchell College of Law.

After practicing law for several years, he opened his own law firm. The next 20 years were spent balancing family, business, coaching hockey, and serving on the city councils in Independence and Delano.

Before coming to Congress, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2004-2008.