From 2011 to 2017, Dauster was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for Senate Majority Leader and then Democratic Leader Harry Reid.[6] Dauster has been a longtime counsel to Senate Democrats[7] and has been called a "top budget expert," a "leading authority on federal budget law and Senate rules,"[8] "a formidable advocate," a "secret weapon,"[9] and "a legendary figure on Capitol Hill."[10]Lawrence O'Donnell called Dauster “the nicest man in the world.”[11]
Senator Reid, a baseball fan, called Dauster his “utility man,”[21] saying of Dauster, “He can catch, pitch, play any position on the field. He has been great for me. I appreciate Bill’s work very much.”[23] Senator Reid said, “Bill Dauster . . . is with me virtually every day, every place I go.”[24] Senator Reid also said of Dauster: “Nobody on Capitol Hill better understands policy or legislation than Bill. Anytime legislative staff — not just mine, but anyone's staff in the Senate — has an issue dealing with legislation, they know Bill will be available. I admire him. He is a fine man. I so appreciate the example he sets in being good to everybody.”[25] Senator Reid said, “You name it, Dauster has done it.”[26]
Senator Reid’s successor as Democratic Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer, called Dauster “one of the great staffers I have met in all the years I have been here in the Senate.”[27] Senator Schumer said, “He came up with great ideas. He was a great sounding board for me.”[27] In response to Senator Schumer’s speech, the office of Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah tweeted "Best wishes," noting that Dauster had “been a staple of this institution for decades.”[28] Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin said, “Bill Dauster knows more about the rules of the Senate than probably anyone since Senator Robert C. Byrd. That has made him something of a legend in the Senate, on both sides of the aisle.”[29] Senator Chris Van Hollen said, “Among . . . staff, there is perhaps no greater giant of the Senate than Bill Dauster.”[30] Senator Van Hollen said that Dauster “built a reputation as an honest broker, a brilliant dealmaker, and an incredibly generous soul.”[30] Senator Jay Rockefeller said that Dauster “keeps in touch with everybody and everything.”[31]
Senator Max Baucus said of Dauster, “Many people know . . . Bill. Bill has served the Senate in many capacities, particularly with his expertise in budget matters and Senate procedures. He was invaluable to me.”[20] Senator Paul Wellstone called Dauster “a close friend that many staffers know well and I think many Senators know well because of his brilliance and also because he is sort of a perfect example of someone who really lives such an honest life.”[32] Senator Wellstone continued, “He treats all of us, regardless of our political viewpoint, with such generosity.”[32]
Senator Ernest Hollings called Dauster “one of the most respected and expert voices on the budget” and “an invaluable resource to all Democratic Senators.”[33] Senator Hollings continued, “Bill doesn't take himself seriously. He takes the issues seriously. . . . He personifies a true servant, not only of this great institution, but of the people we serve. Blessed with enormous intellectual skills, Bill has also exhibited great compassion for the less fortunate among us, especially America's children and the disabled.”[33] Senator James Exon said “everyone recognizes [Dauster] is one of the true experts on our budget.”[19] Senator Jim Sasser said Dauster was “always my strong right arm.”[18] Senator Lawton Chiles called Dauster “gifted” and said, “Bill is self-effacing. But his modesty can't conceal his ability.”[17]
Since October 2005, he has written and expanded Wikipedia articles on each of the 54 weekly Torah portions.[77] He has originated or significantly expanded the following Wikipedia and Wikisource articles and sections of articles:
^For speeches from the 1990s and 2000s, see “A Progressive Voice”. For some speeches on which he worked with Senator Chris Van Hollen, see, e.g., Congressional Record, volume 163, pages 103–05 (January 5, 2017) (statement of Senator Chris Van Hollen on the budget resolution to repeal the Affordable Care Act); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S625–26 (February 2, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Interior Department rule on stream protection); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S644–45 (February 2, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Securities and Exchange Commission rule on disclosure of foreign payments); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1168–69 (February 15, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Social Security Administration rule on background checks for gun purchases); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1620–21 (March 7, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Bureau of Land Management planning rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, page S1663 (March 8, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Department of Education teacher preparation rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1679–81 (March 8, 2017) (on the Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act); Congressional Record, volume 163, page S1711 (March 9, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Department of Education accountability rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1741–42 (March 9, 2017) (on the 75th anniversary of the Applied Physics Laboratory); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1789–91 (March 14, 2017) (on the American Health Care Act); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1870–71 (March 21, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the wildlife taking rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S1913–14 (March 22, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of OSHA's injury records rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, page S1949 (March 23, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the Federal Communications Commission Broadband rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, at pages S2090–91 (March 29, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the IRA rule); Congressional Record, volume 163, page S2131 (March 30, 2017) (on the resolution to disapprove of the family planning rule).
^Roll Call reporters and editors have cited Dauster among leading Capitol Hill staffers. See, e.g., Niels Lesniewski, “Bill Dauster Caps Decades of Senate Service: Longtime Democratic aide retired last week,”Roll Call, May 31, 2017; “The Roll Call Fabulous 50,”Roll Call, January 16, 2014; “The Fabulous 50,” Roll Call, February 12, 2013, page 18; “The Roll Call Fabulous 50,” Roll Call, September 13, 2012, page B-11; “The Roll Call Fabulous 50,” Roll Call, January 23, 2012, page B-8; “Roll Call’s Fabulous Fifty,” Roll Call, January 26, 1998, page B-24; see also “Tribute to William Dauster,” Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings); “Bill Dauster” in Suzanne Struglinski, editor, 'Insider's Guide to Key Committee Staff of the U.S. Congress, 2009 (Lanham, Maryland: Bernan Press, 22nd Edition, 2009), page 633.
^ abSee Robert Novak, “Wellstone’s Gain,” Chicago Sun-Times, June 28, 1998; “Quayle, Wellstone Forming Staffs,” The Washington Post, July 12, 1998, page A14.
^See, e.g., U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1995–1996 Official Congressional Directory, 104th Congress, 1st Session, 1995, Senate Publication 104-14, page 362 (Democratic Chief of Staff/Chief Counsel); Congressional Record, volume 141, page S7445 (May 25, 1995) (statement of Senator James Exon); Congressional Record, volume 141, page S9410 (June 29, 1995) (statement of Senator James Exon); Congressional Record, volume 142, page S5550 (May 23, 1996) (statements of Senators Pete Domenici and James Exon); Congressional Record, volume 142, pages S6183 (June 13, 1996) (statements of Senators James Exon and Tom Daschle). See also U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1993–1994 Official Congressional Directory, 103d Congress, 1st Session, 1993, Senate Publication 103-8, page 394 ISBN0-16-041175-0 (Chief Counsel); U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1991–1992 Official Congressional Directory, 102d Congress, 1st Session, 1991, Senate Publication 102-4, page 400 (Chief Counsel); U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1989–1990 Official Congressional Directory, 101st Congress, 1st Session, 1989, Senate Print 101-29, page 341 (Chief Counsel); U.S. Congress, Joint Committee on Printing, 1987–1988 Official Congressional Directory, 100th Congress, 1st Session, 1987, Senate Print 100-31, page 455 (Chief Counsel); "Staff Working Files of the Committee on the Budget from the 94th through 107th Congresses," National Archives.
^ abCongressional Record, volume 133, page S6019ff (April 21, 1987) (statement of Senator Lawton Chiles).
^ abCongressional Record, volume 140, page S3860 (March 25, 1994) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser).
^ abCongressional Record, volume 141, page S7445 (May 25, 1995) (statement of Senator James Exon).
^ abCongressional Record, volume 149, page S15930 (November 25, 2003) (statement of Senator Max Baucus).
^ abCongressional Record, volume 161, page S7603 (October 29, 2015) (statement of Senator Harry Reid); Congressional Record, volume 162, page S6860 (December 8, 2016) (statement of Senator Harry Reid).
^Congressional Record, volume 162, page S6860 (December 8, 2016) (statement of Senator Harry Reid).
^Congressional Record, volume 162, page S1984 (April 13, 2016) (statement of Senator Harry Reid).
^Congressional Record, volume 161, page S8839 (December 18, 2015) (statement of Senator Harry Reid). See also Heather Caygle. "Key Reid Staffer to Van Hollen’s Office,"Politico, December 22, 2016.
^Congressional Record, volume 163, pages S3202–03 (May 25, 2017) (statement of Senator Dick Durbin).
^ abCongressional Record, volume 163, pages S3184–85 (May 25, 2017) (statement of Senator Chris Van Hollen); broadcast on CSPAN.
^Congressional Record, volume 158, page S337 (February 6, 2012) (statement of Senator Jay Rockefeller).
^ abCongressional Record, volume 145, page S2162 (March 3, 1999) (statement of Senator Paul Wellstone).
^ abCongressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
^See, e.g., Congressional Record, volume 133, page S6019ff (April 21, 1987) (statement of Senator Lawton Chiles); Congressional Record, volume 136, page S14710 (October 8, 1990) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 137, page S4805 (April 23, 1991) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 137, page S6340 (May 22, 1991) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 138, page S4900 (April 7, 1992) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 138, page S5492 (April 10, 1992) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S3708 (March 25, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S4178 (March 31, 1993) (statement of Senator Hank Brown); Congressional Record, volume 140, page S3860 (March 25, 1994) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
^See, e.g., Congressional Record, volume 135, page S16644 (November 21, 1989) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 136, pages S17705 and S17550 (October 27, 1990) (statements of Senators Robert Byrd and Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S8070 (June 24, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S10763 (August 6, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
^See Congressional Record, volume 133, page S12534 (September 23, 1987) (statement of Senator Lloyd Bentsen); Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
^See Lawrence J. Haas, “A Staff Mechanic for Budget Repairs,” National Journal, November 10, 1990, page 2754; Congressional Record, volume 136, pages S17705, S17550 (October 27, 1990) (statements of Senators Robert Byrd and Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 143, page S1922 (March 4, 1997) (statement of Senator Ernest Hollings).
^See Congressional Record, volume 139, page S3708 (March 25, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S4178 (March 31, 1993) (statement of Senator Hank Brown); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S8070 (June 24, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser); Congressional Record, volume 139, page S10763 (August 6, 1993) (statement of Senator Jim Sasser).
^See Congressional Record, volume 141, page S1696 (January 27, 1995) (statement of Senator Dirk Kempthorne).
^See Congressional Record, volume 141, page S17490 (November 19, 1995) (statement of Senator James Exon).
^See Congressional Record, volume 147, page S3258 (April 2, 2001) (statement of Senator John McCain); Congressional Record, volume 148, pages S2158 and S2159 (March 20, 2002) (statements of Senators Russ Feingold and John McCain).
^See Congressional Record, volume 149, page S8709 (June 26, 2003) (statement of Senator Bill Frist); Congressional Record, volume 149, page S15565 (November 22, 2003) (statement of Senator Orrin Hatch); Congressional Record, volume 149, pages S15907,S15911, and S15930 (November 25, 2003) (statements of Senators John Breaux, Chuck Grassley, and Max Baucus).
^See Congressional Record, volume 150, page S5218 (May 11, 2004) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley).
^See Congressional Record, volume 150, pages S9577 and S9579 (September 23, 2004) (statements of Senators Chuck Grassley and Max Baucus).
^See Congressional Record, volume 150, page S11219 (October 11, 2004) (statement of Senator Max Baucus).
^See Congressional Record, volume 150, page S12048 (December 8, 2004) (statement of Senator John Breaux).
^See Congressional Record, volume 151, pages S5264 and S5280 (May 17, 2005) (statements of Senators Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 151, pages S9410 and S9414 (July 29, 2005) (statements of Senators Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley).
^See Congressional Record, volume 151, pages S9363 and S9366 (July 29, 2005) (statements of Senators Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley).
^See Congressional Record, volume 152, pages S8763 and S8765 (August 3, 2006) (statements of Senators Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley).
^See Congressional Record, volume 152, page S9610 (September 14, 2006) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 152, page S10813 (September 29, 2006) (statement of Senator Max Baucus).
^See Congressional Record, volume 153, page S1493 (February 1, 2007) (statement of Senator Max Baucus); Congressional Record, volume 153, page S1572 (February 5, 2007) (statement of Senator Ted Kennedy).
^See Congressional Record, volume 153, page S8289 (June 22, 2007) (statement of Senator Jeff Bingaman).
^See Congressional Record, volume 153, page S10762 (August 2, 2007) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley); Congressional Record, volume 153, page S12255 (September 27, 2007) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley).
^See Congressional Record, volume 154, page S4241 (May 15, 2008) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley).
^See Congressional Record, volume 154, page S9258 (September 23, 2008) (statement of Senator Chuck Grassley).
^See Manuel Roig-Franzia, “Positively Hush With Power,”The Washington Post, October 1, 2009, pages C1, C7; Congressional Record, volume 155, pages S13779 and S13781 (December 22, 2009) (statements of Senator Chris Dodd); Congressional Record, volume 155, page S13847 (December 23, 2009) (statement of Senator Tom Harkin); Congressional Record, volume 156, pages S2082 and S2085 (March 25, 2010) (statements of Senators Tom Harkin, Chris Dodd, Max Baucus, and Kent Conrad).
^See Congressional Record, volume 158, page S337 (February 6, 2012) (statement of Senator Jay Rockefeller).
^See Congressional Record, volume 158, page S2799 (April 26, 2012) (statement of Senator Patrick Leahy).
^See Congressional Record, volume 158, page S4405 (June 21, 2012) (statement of Senator Debbie Stabenow).
^See Congressional Record, volume 158, page S1645 (March 14, 2012) (statement of Senator Barbara Boxer); Congressional Record, volume 158, page S4750 (June 29, 2012) (statement of Senator Barbara Boxer).
^See Congressional Record, volume 159, page S3498 (May 15, 2013) (statement of Senator Barbara Boxer).
^See Congressional Record, volume 159, pages S5354 and S5479 (June 27, 2013) (statements of Senators Patrick Leahy and Chuck Schumer).
^See Casey Hynes, “Staffers Seek Hill Inspiration,” Roll Call, January 6, 2009, pages 28, 30; Bree Hocking and Daniel Heim, “Reaching Out to the Hill’s Many Faiths,” Roll Call, June 11, 2007, pages 31–33 (photo of the Torah study group on page 32); Jane Mayer, "The Slime Machine Targeting Dozens of Biden Nominees,"The New Yorker, April 16, 2022.