Peter Fotos is the director of government relations for the Heartland Institute. Prior to joining Heartland in October 2008, he served for more than  eight years in various legislative capacities on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., most recently as the principal advisor to U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) on all issues related to taxes, health care, Medicare and Medicaid, and Social Security.

While serving in Sen. DeMint’s office, Peter developed and drafted legislation to expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), to make the tax treatment of health care more fair for all Americans, to allow for the purchase of health across state lines, and to save Social Security for future generations. He co-organized a bi-monthly health care meeting aimed at educating conservative staff on various issues facing the U.S. Senate. Fotos was recognized in December 2006 by the HSA Council for successfully negotiating the expansion of HSAs in the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006.

Prior to joining Sen. DeMint’’s office, Fotos served as a legislative assistant and then as legislative director in the office of U.S. Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin from 2002 through 2006. He was responsible for advising the Congressman on all matters related to health care, Medicare and Medicaid, and Social Security.

Fotos is originally from Atlanta, Georgia and is a graduate of Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina.