Len Burman
@lenburman.bsky.social
Cofounder of Tax Policy Center. Cyclist, swimmer, singer, cook. Father of 4 and grandfather of 6. Very tall, but inept at basketball. Views are my own.
This is incredibly cruel and stupid. I still have a hard time believing our government could do this.
I spoke with Any Lucía López Belloza, the Babson College student who was on her way to surprise her family for Thanksgiving when ICE deported her.
"My 5-year-old sister still believes that I might go home for Christmas," she tells me.
www.thecut.com/article/any-...
"My 5-year-old sister still believes that I might go home for Christmas," she tells me.
www.thecut.com/article/any-...
I Wanted to Surprise My Family on Thanksgiving. ICE Deported Me Instead.
How the Trump administration turned a college freshman’s life upside down.
www.thecut.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:38 PM
This is incredibly cruel and stupid. I still have a hard time believing our government could do this.
My final TaxVox blog: Playing Budget Roulette is a Bad Bet. There’s so much we don’t know about how our fiscal profligacy will play out. Unless we change course, a debt crisis is likely, and it could be catastrophic.
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/playi...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/playi...
Playing Budget Roulette Is A Bad Bet
The scariest thing about our soon-to-be unprecedented federal debt is that there’s so much we don’t know about its consequences.
taxpolicycenter.org
October 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
My final TaxVox blog: Playing Budget Roulette is a Bad Bet. There’s so much we don’t know about how our fiscal profligacy will play out. Unless we change course, a debt crisis is likely, and it could be catastrophic.
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/playi...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/playi...
Reposted by Len Burman
Around midnight last night, President Trump sent up a “pocket rescissions” request.
Pocket rescissions are illegal. Here’s my thread explaining what pocket rescissions are, how they work, and why they’re illegal.
Pocket rescissions are illegal. Here’s my thread explaining what pocket rescissions are, how they work, and why they’re illegal.
New paper from me explaining "pocket rescissions," an illegal budgetary maneuver the White House is planning to do in the very near future that, ironically, misuses an aspect of the Impoundment Control Act to permanently impound funds.
(Thread on the paper)
www.americanprogress.org/article/what...
(Thread on the paper)
www.americanprogress.org/article/what...
What Is a Pocket Rescission?
Understanding President Donald Trump and Russ Vought’s new plan to illegally stop spending.
www.americanprogress.org
August 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Around midnight last night, President Trump sent up a “pocket rescissions” request.
Pocket rescissions are illegal. Here’s my thread explaining what pocket rescissions are, how they work, and why they’re illegal.
Pocket rescissions are illegal. Here’s my thread explaining what pocket rescissions are, how they work, and why they’re illegal.
Reposted by Len Burman
Trump admin planning to change student visas from lasting for duration of academic program to fixed 4-yr term, and then much harder to renew
Could destroy US ability to attract global talent, particularly those seeking advanced degrees in STEM. The median time to complete a PhD is 5.7 yrs per NSF.
Could destroy US ability to attract global talent, particularly those seeking advanced degrees in STEM. The median time to complete a PhD is 5.7 yrs per NSF.
Trump Deals A New Immigration Blow To International Students
Trump officials have proposed a new rule limiting international students to fixed periods of entry, making a U.S. education more precarious.
www.forbes.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Trump admin planning to change student visas from lasting for duration of academic program to fixed 4-yr term, and then much harder to renew
Could destroy US ability to attract global talent, particularly those seeking advanced degrees in STEM. The median time to complete a PhD is 5.7 yrs per NSF.
Could destroy US ability to attract global talent, particularly those seeking advanced degrees in STEM. The median time to complete a PhD is 5.7 yrs per NSF.
Reposted by Len Burman
I think this is probably wrong. As I argued here: www.taxnotes.com/tax-history-...
August 29, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I think this is probably wrong. As I argued here: www.taxnotes.com/tax-history-...
Reposted by Len Burman
A surprisingly clear statement from Susan Collins, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, that the Trump administrations pocket rescission is illegal.
August 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
A surprisingly clear statement from Susan Collins, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, that the Trump administrations pocket rescission is illegal.
Reposted by Len Burman
IMO, this is probably the most important thing to keep in mind.
The Trump administration is trying to keep the focus exclusively on foreign aid funding, since it’s the least popular, LOUDLY illegally impounding it via pocket rescissions, while they very quietly continue to impound cancer research.
The Trump administration is trying to keep the focus exclusively on foreign aid funding, since it’s the least popular, LOUDLY illegally impounding it via pocket rescissions, while they very quietly continue to impound cancer research.
A pocket rescission is an illegal impoundment, not a rescission. It’s a method of not spending money they are required to spend.
The Trump admin is choosing to focus on the foreign aid funding, loudly impounding it. But it’s still quietly illegally impounding other things, like cancer research.
The Trump admin is choosing to focus on the foreign aid funding, loudly impounding it. But it’s still quietly illegally impounding other things, like cancer research.
August 29, 2025 at 2:53 PM
IMO, this is probably the most important thing to keep in mind.
The Trump administration is trying to keep the focus exclusively on foreign aid funding, since it’s the least popular, LOUDLY illegally impounding it via pocket rescissions, while they very quietly continue to impound cancer research.
The Trump administration is trying to keep the focus exclusively on foreign aid funding, since it’s the least popular, LOUDLY illegally impounding it via pocket rescissions, while they very quietly continue to impound cancer research.
The CBO is a national treasure. Today, former directors and staff will host a gathering to celebrate its 50th anniversary. CBO has been a huge influence on the @taxpolicycenter.bsky.social . 1/
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/happy...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/happy...
Happy Birthday, CBO! You're A Great Role Model!
The core mission of CBO—to provide objective, impartial analysis—is woven into TPC's DNA.
taxpolicycenter.org
August 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The CBO is a national treasure. Today, former directors and staff will host a gathering to celebrate its 50th anniversary. CBO has been a huge influence on the @taxpolicycenter.bsky.social . 1/
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/happy...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/happy...
In new research, my colleagues and I show that reforming the child tax credit to help more low-income families would have little effect on labor force participation, and could even increase it. taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/ctc-r... 1/
CTC Reform Could Help Millions Of Low-Income Children With Minimal Effect On Employment
TPC estimates of a substantial labor market exodus from a child tax credit (CTC) are overstated. There are ways to expand the CTC that would help low-income families and increase parents’ employment.
taxpolicycenter.org
June 20, 2025 at 9:37 PM
In new research, my colleagues and I show that reforming the child tax credit to help more low-income families would have little effect on labor force participation, and could even increase it. taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/ctc-r... 1/
Making Healthcare Unaffordable Again. www.urban.org/research/pub...
Reconciliation Bill Would Cut Marketplace Enrollment by over 5 Million People
In May 2025, the House of Representatives passed budget reconciliation legislation, H.R. 1, that would make substantial changes to health coverage programs.
www.urban.org
June 16, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Making Healthcare Unaffordable Again. www.urban.org/research/pub...
CBO distributional analysis of House reconciliation bill. Novel presentation of effects over time. Bottom decile suffers bigger proportional income cuts over time. Top decile gets a big tax cut initially, which diminishes somewhat over time. www.cbo.gov/system/files...
May 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
CBO distributional analysis of House reconciliation bill. Novel presentation of effects over time. Bottom decile suffers bigger proportional income cuts over time. Top decile gets a big tax cut initially, which diminishes somewhat over time. www.cbo.gov/system/files...
Catherine Rampell has been tracking Trump Administration/DOGE activities to terminate invaluable public datasets, erase history, and suppress scientific endeavors. Unless reversed, the loss to the US and the world will be incalculable. Where's Congressional oversight of these destructive activities?
A new era of government censorship has begun.
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
It started with the silencing of scientific speech, when the admin blocked release of research on bird flu. But MAGA has also cracked down on other wrongthink—on race, geography (!), and of course Trump himself
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | A new era of government censorship has dawned
Donald Trump fancies himself a champion of free speech. Oh, really?
www.washingtonpost.com
May 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Catherine Rampell has been tracking Trump Administration/DOGE activities to terminate invaluable public datasets, erase history, and suppress scientific endeavors. Unless reversed, the loss to the US and the world will be incalculable. Where's Congressional oversight of these destructive activities?
Efficiency? "Despite the massive loss of technical brainpower over the past few months, the average taxpayer probably won’t know what they’re missing this filing season. But next year could be a different story."
fedscoop.com/irs-moderniz...
fedscoop.com/irs-moderniz...
Stilted innovation, less efficiency: Former IRS executives explain the impact of DOGE cuts
Recently departed tax agency leaders detail how workforce reductions could undercut modernization and the use of AI.
fedscoop.com
April 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Efficiency? "Despite the massive loss of technical brainpower over the past few months, the average taxpayer probably won’t know what they’re missing this filing season. But next year could be a different story."
fedscoop.com/irs-moderniz...
fedscoop.com/irs-moderniz...
I don’t usually look to @TheEconomist for sports writing, but this is good. Some data put Ovi’s goal record and sustained productivity in perspective.
How Alex Ovechkin topped Wayne Gretzky’s once-unbreakable record (no subscription required)
economist.com/united-state...
How Alex Ovechkin topped Wayne Gretzky’s once-unbreakable record (no subscription required)
economist.com/united-state...
How Alex Ovechkin topped Wayne Gretzky’s once-unbreakable record
As our charts show, the Russian machine defies both his age and his era
economist.com
April 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
I don’t usually look to @TheEconomist for sports writing, but this is good. Some data put Ovi’s goal record and sustained productivity in perspective.
How Alex Ovechkin topped Wayne Gretzky’s once-unbreakable record (no subscription required)
economist.com/united-state...
How Alex Ovechkin topped Wayne Gretzky’s once-unbreakable record (no subscription required)
economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Len Burman
New paper from @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social and me about Trump and congressional Rs “triple-threat” agenda of legislation, executive actions, and tariffs.
The result is higher costs for low- and moderate-income families while the rich get large tax cuts.
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
The result is higher costs for low- and moderate-income families while the rich get large tax cuts.
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Republican Agenda’s “Triple Threat” to Low- and Moderate-Income Family Well-Being | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
This three-part agenda — legislation, executive action, and tariffs — will reduce the living standards and raise costs for millions of families with modest incomes while helping pave the way for tax c...
www.cbpp.org
April 4, 2025 at 2:50 PM
New paper from @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social and me about Trump and congressional Rs “triple-threat” agenda of legislation, executive actions, and tariffs.
The result is higher costs for low- and moderate-income families while the rich get large tax cuts.
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
The result is higher costs for low- and moderate-income families while the rich get large tax cuts.
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
1890s nostalgia? The Panic of 1893 was the worst depression until the Great Depression (1929). The US-led post-WWII trade liberalization and economic institutions created during the Great Depression led to unprecedented prosperity. Rethink dismantling it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_o...
April 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
1890s nostalgia? The Panic of 1893 was the worst depression until the Great Depression (1929). The US-led post-WWII trade liberalization and economic institutions created during the Great Depression led to unprecedented prosperity. Rethink dismantling it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_o...
Reposted by Len Burman
The average tariff rate in the US is now 22.5% highest since 1909. This is nothing like Trump 1.0.
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
April 4, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The average tariff rate in the US is now 22.5% highest since 1909. This is nothing like Trump 1.0.
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
Reposted by Len Burman
A flurry of tax-related bills focused on tax administration (ranging from deadline clarifications in disasters to changes to IRS notices) recently passed the House and have moved to the Senate.
Here’s what to know about all five bills.
www.forbes.com/sites/kellyp...
Here’s what to know about all five bills.
www.forbes.com/sites/kellyp...
House Advances Bills Including Fixes For Disaster Deadlines And Stolen Tax Refund Checks
A flurry of tax-related bills focused on tax administration recently passed the House. Here’s what to know about all five bills.
www.forbes.com
April 4, 2025 at 11:46 AM
A flurry of tax-related bills focused on tax administration (ranging from deadline clarifications in disasters to changes to IRS notices) recently passed the House and have moved to the Senate.
Here’s what to know about all five bills.
www.forbes.com/sites/kellyp...
Here’s what to know about all five bills.
www.forbes.com/sites/kellyp...
Reposted by Len Burman
Q: How could Congress more fairly spend this $$ while also delivering faster economic growth?
A: Public investments that...
✅Train next generation of workers (education!)
✅Help parents thrive at work (childcare!)
✅Lower interest rates on home & auto loans (pay down debt!)
A: Public investments that...
✅Train next generation of workers (education!)
✅Help parents thrive at work (childcare!)
✅Lower interest rates on home & auto loans (pay down debt!)
March 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Q: How could Congress more fairly spend this $$ while also delivering faster economic growth?
A: Public investments that...
✅Train next generation of workers (education!)
✅Help parents thrive at work (childcare!)
✅Lower interest rates on home & auto loans (pay down debt!)
A: Public investments that...
✅Train next generation of workers (education!)
✅Help parents thrive at work (childcare!)
✅Lower interest rates on home & auto loans (pay down debt!)
This is ominous. Commerce Secretary suggests new GDP calculations might deliberately exclude government spending to obscure impact of DOGE cuts.
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
The Trump administration may exclude government spending from GDP, obscuring the impact of DOGE cuts
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says he could take government spending out of his agency's reports on gross domestic product.
apnews.com
March 4, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Firing provisional IRS employees is an incredibly costly way to slash the IRS budget. By TPC nonresident fellow Barry Johnson. taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/new-i...
New IRS Employees Are Helping Taxpayers, Firing Them Would Be Costly
DOGE might assume that probationary employees are expendable, but they are not.
taxpolicycenter.org
February 21, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Firing provisional IRS employees is an incredibly costly way to slash the IRS budget. By TPC nonresident fellow Barry Johnson. taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/new-i...
State and local governments won't be the "laboratories of democracy" in the Trump-Musk administration. wapo.st/419jgQ6
Trump administration revokes approval of NYC congestion toll
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said New York’s first-in-the-nation fee meant to ease gridlock and reduce emissions was a “slap in the face” to working-class Americans.
wapo.st
February 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM
State and local governments won't be the "laboratories of democracy" in the Trump-Musk administration. wapo.st/419jgQ6
Fitness standards for men and women in the military are the same, and without women, the military would have a very hard time meeting its recruiting targets (since most men don't qualify). by @amymcgrath.bsky.social and Michael O'Hanlon. wapo.st/3QcLMeJ
Opinion | Think the military lowered its standards for women? Think again.
The military has become more specific about the standards it expects personnel to meet.
wapo.st
February 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Fitness standards for men and women in the military are the same, and without women, the military would have a very hard time meeting its recruiting targets (since most men don't qualify). by @amymcgrath.bsky.social and Michael O'Hanlon. wapo.st/3QcLMeJ
Reposted by Len Burman
The NSA can no longer read Pride and Prejudice, it's too woke
2. A memo distributed by NSA leadership to its staff says that on February 10, all NSA websites and internal network pages that contain banned words will be deleted.
This is the list of 27 banned words distributed to NSA staff:
This is the list of 27 banned words distributed to NSA staff:
February 11, 2025 at 2:59 AM
The NSA can no longer read Pride and Prejudice, it's too woke