Rouse exits WH, in talks with Perkins Coie

Longtime Obama aide Pete Rouse has left the White House and is expected to head to former White House counsel Robert Bauer’s firm, according to a source familiar with the move. 

Rouse is in discussions to provide strategic advice to clients on moving initiatives through Washington at Perkins Coie. 

{mosads}Rouse, nicknamed the “101st senator” because of his relationships with members on both sides of the aisle, left the White House about 10 days ago.

Rouse had served as former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle’s (D-S.D.) chief of staff and was set to retire before Obama entered the Senate. Rouse then began working for President Obama as the chief of staff in his Senate office.

After Obama’s election as president, Rouse went to the White House and served as an interim chief of staff after Rahm Emanuel’s departure from the position.

The White House has made a string of other staffing changes as Obama begins the second year of his second term. 

Miguel Rodriguez, the director of White House office of Legislative Affairs, officially left the role on Wednesday, sources say. Rodriguez is being replaced by Katie Beirne Fallon, a relative newcomer to Obama’s orbit. 

Earlier this month The Hill reported that Ed Pagano, who headed up the Senate team at the White House, was departing. Pagano is expected to leave in the coming days for a Washington law firm, a source said. 

Pagano will be replaced by Anne Wall, who has worked the White House legislative affairs office for the past couple of years, and served as floor director for Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). 

This story was updated at 2:17 p.m.