Paul Ryan, the top Republican in the U.S. Congress, says he talks to Donald Trump often, but the president-elect has tapped a little-known lawmaker from western New York to be his eyes and ears among congressional Republicans.
In the latest example of how much Trump values personal loyalty, the billionaire businessman has effectively designated Rep. Chris Collins to be the White House transition team's congressional liaison.
Collins, 66, has been in Congress less than four years. He has no House leadership role. He chairs no committees. He was previously county executive for Erie County, New York.