doi:10.7916/my6b-k179Oral history interview with Lisa M. Konwinski, 2021Konwinski, Lisaoral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesPartisanship--United StatesKonwinski, LisaObama, BarackUnited States. White House OfficeUnited States. Consumer Financial Protection BureauUnited States. CongressUnited StatesUnited States. National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and ReformAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActLisa Konwinski discusses working as a litigator for House members and then as general counsel for the Senate Budget Committee from 1997 to 2008, where she gained expertise on the reconciliation process, before becoming deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of the Office of Legislative Affairs in 2009. Konwinski discusses the Recovery Act, including her advisory role on the legislation, acting as liaison between the White House and Congress, messaging about the economy, and building a coalition to ensure the act would pass. She describes the development of the Affordable Care Act and how it was able to pass. Konwinski delves into the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: its creation in 2010, early successes and importance, main priorities, consumer response piece, and public-facing events. Also discussed are the 2009 Fiscal Responsibility Summit on the deficit, which resulted in the Simpson-Bowles Commission; Konwinski's participation on the Deputies Committee and relationships with other deputies; the impact of the shift in power in Congress after Obama's first two years; and increased partisanship in politics