Trump Selects Veteran Tax Lobbyist for Pivotal Treasury Position
Big news is brewing in the world of U.S. tax policy! President-elect Trump is shaking things up by selecting a seasoned tax lobbyist from the heart of Washington, D.C., to take the helm at the U.S. Treasury Department.
On January 2, Trump took to Truth Social to reveal his nomination of Ken Kies for the coveted position of Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy.
While this appointment still needs the green light from the Senate, get ready to see a lot more of Kies in the coming months. He will play a critical role in crafting and pushing forward Trump’s ambitious tax policy agenda, which includes addressing the looming expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). This is set to be a major focus for both the new President and Congress this year!
Brian Graff, CEO of the American Retirement Association, confidently stated, “I cannot think of another person in D.C. more likely to get a tax deal done than my former boss Ken Kies. He is an expert at navigating the political minefields inherent with any major tax legislation.” Talk about a strong endorsement!
The Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy acts as a senior advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury, responsible for analyzing, developing, and implementing crucial federal tax policies and programs. This role is not just about numbers; it’s about shaping the financial future of our nation!
In addition, the Office of Tax Policy oversees the Office of Benefits Tax Counsel, which focuses on regulatory guidance surrounding retirement tax policies as they relate to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). They collaborate closely with the Department of Labor, ensuring a cohesive approach to issues that straddle both the IRC and ERISA.
Kies is no stranger to the complex corridors of Washington. He previously served as Chief of Staff for the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) from 1995 to 1998. The JCT is the go-to for technical analysis and revenue estimates on pending tax matters, working directly with the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. Talk about being at the center of the action!
During his tenure at the JCT, Kies contributed to the landmark Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996—defining moments in U.S. tax history.
Today, Kies is the Managing Director at the Federal Policy Group, LLC, a private firm that provides top-notch advocacy and strategic consulting on tax policy before Congress and the Treasury. He also previously held the position of Co-Managing Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s Washington National Tax Services office.
But that’s not all! In late November, Trump announced his choice of hedge fund tycoon Scott Bessent as Secretary of the Treasury. Bessent, the founder of Key Square Group, previously held the title of chief investment officer at George Soros’ investment firm—definitely a big player in the finance world!
Alongside these key appointments, Trump revealed additional pivotal team members in his January 2 post: Alexandra Preate as senior counselor to the secretary; Hunter McMaster as director of policy planning; Daniel Katz as chief of staff; and Samantha Schwab as deputy chief of staff (who happens to be the granddaughter of Charles Schwab!).
“I am thrilled to announce this incredible team that will work closely with our United States Secretary of the Treasury Nominee, Scott Bessent. All of them are hardworking Patriots, committed to MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump proclaimed.
