Philip S. English*

Senior Government Relations Advisor

Former US Congressman Philip English is a senior government relations advisor and co-chair of the government relations practice.

Phil English, senior government relations advisor

While in Congress, Phil developed an interest and rich experience in trade, health care, and tax and energy policy. He currently assists clients in these areas, plus state and municipal government operations. 

Phil currently serves as Coordinator of the Healthcare Group Purchasing Industry Initiative (HGPII), which enforces industry standards, promotes best business practices, and monitors adherence to its ethics code by healthcare group purchasing organizations (GPOs). HGPII is an independent ethics oversight organization with responsibility for a major part of the healthcare supply chain.

Phil is also the Co-Chair of the Institute for Representative Government (IRG). He also serves as the Honorary Co-Chairman of the Center for Strategic Tax Reform (CSTR) and Chairman of CSTR’s Board of Advisors.

*Phil is not a member of the legal practice.

Previous Work

Phil served seven distinguished terms in the United States House of Representatives, representing Western Pennsylvania’s 3rd District from 1995 to 2009. Phil served on the Ways and Means Committee and was the first Republican freshman appointed to that committee since George H. W. Bush in 1967. In the 110th Congress, he served as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee of Select Revenue Measures.

As a member of Congress, Phil became a strong advocate in the areas of health care, energy, tax, and trade policy. He was a long-time member of the Joint Economic Committee, and co-chair of the Congressional Economic Leadership Institute.

Phil served as a lead committee staff member in the Pennsylvania Senate, including Executive Director of the Senate Transportation Committee, where he oversaw key legislation pertaining to highway funding, mass transit subsidies, state rail service, intermodal and port facilities funding, turnpike finance, and air service; as well as supported a sitting member of the State Transportation Commission. 

While serving on the Trade Subcommittee, Phil was a co-chair of the Congressional Service Industries Caucus and a member of the President’s Export Council. He was a Congressional Representative to the World Trade Organization Ministerial Meetings and Advisor to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Congressional Leadership Group.

On the Health Subcommittee, Phil was a proponent of Medicare policy reform, reimbursement changes for hospitals, cancer screening, therapeutic procedures, and prescription drugs. His involvement with tax policy included cost recovery (bonus depreciation), international taxes (repatriation), repealing the alternative minimum tax, and expanding savings instruments (Auto-IRA). Phil was co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Real Estate Caucus.

Phil is an advocate of public diplomacy and America’s role in world affairs. He served as co-chair of the House European Union Caucus, the House Brazil Caucus, the House Morocco Caucus, the House Swiss Caucus, and the House World Bank Caucus.

Professional Activities

After leaving office, Phil was appointed to the United States National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, which advises the State Department on educational, scientific, cultural, and communications issues.

Phil also serves on the board of several leading policy organizations, including: the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan tax research group; and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leader in technology policy.

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Phil co-authored a chapter titled ‘Bipartisan Solutions to Preserve the American Dream’ for What It’s Worth: Strengthening the Financial Future of Families, Communities and the Nation, released December 2015.

In 2006, Phil received the Award for Advocacy for Independence Higher Education from the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He is also a past recipient of the Gannon University Distinguished Pennsylvanian Award and Rotary International’s Paul Harris Award.

Life Beyond the Law

Phil is a history and archaeology buff and a collector of Roman coins. He also serves on the Congressional Advisory Council of the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF).

Perspectives