Newly-disclosed emails from former President Joe Biden’s Treasury Department show coordination between the administration and left-wing organizations on tax policy and messaging, raising concerns about the influence of special interest groups over the prior White House.
Public records from the Treasury Department were obtained by Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT) via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which include documents that show email correspondence between Biden Treasury Department officials and employees of left-wing nonprofits. In the emails, the officials and nonprofits worked together on developing talking points and policy, showing a very close relationship where the latter had sway over the former.
In December 2022, Victoria Esser, founder of Belle Haven Consulting, LLC, emailed Ellen Nissenbaum, who at the time was Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), regarding talking points for Jack Lew, former Treasury secretary for the Obama administration. CBPP was a contributor to shaping Obamacare.
“I know Ellen already saw this release from House [Ways and Means Republicans],” Esser wrote. “Jack asked me to coordinate with you all on the best response. He is likely doing CNBC Squawk Box and Bloomberg Balance of Power next week and week after. I think he is comfortable on advocating for funding piece but anticipating some potential snark question/s on false assertion that tax gap numbers are inflated/supposed abuse/going after middle class. Would you be able to help?”
Nissenbaum sent the email to Natasha Sarin, who at the time was counselor to then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for Tax Policy and Implementation, writing, “Natasha, Are you doing anything for Dems in response to this? Tx.”
About a year earlier, in November 2021, Nissenbaum wrote an email to Chuck Marr, Vice President for Federal Tax Policy at CBPP, saying “Natasha Sarin called last night. They are seeing Repubs shift their attacks from the IRS enforcement to the IRS money. Treasury is worried Repubs will attack the OTA estimate and point to the forthcoming lower estimate of savings when the CBO score is out.”
“Natasha noted that Repubs like Portman and others during BIF negotiations argued that CBO was too conservative in its estimates, and Treasury folks wondered if we might put something out (eg. A blog or tweet thread) when the CBO scores comes out, pointing to the Repubs’ statements and offering defense of OTA as much as we can,” Nissenbaum continued. “They will send quotes. Also wants some state related help, Michael, that I’ll fill you in on later – will give you a call.”
Marr responded, writing, “Yes – we intend to – Samantha is drafting a blog. It will defend the score plus note if critics, such as the GOP, are so concerned about tax gap revenue then they should add the info reporting proposal for some fiscal insurance.”
Nissenbaum then sent an email to Sarin, writing, “Your eyes only. You’re sending me some quotes, and what you want [regarding] a state person to comment on how the IRS $ would help?” In another email, Sarin wrote, “Hi Ellen, Yes, I’ll send you quotes, we are putting together a document for you now.”
