Thomas Barthold to Become Joint Committee on Taxation Chief of Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) joined Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley and Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) today to announce Thomas Barthold has been selected to be the next Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) following the departure of Edward D. Kleinbard on May 15, 2009.

"Mr. Barthold has done a truly commendable job advising the Congress on tax issues as a Senior Economist and I have no doubt he will shine as Chief of Staff for the JCT," said Ways and Means and JCT Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY). "Congress relies on the JCT to develop and navigate complex economic policies and we are grateful to Mr. Barthold for his continued service, expertise, and leadership."

Mr. Barthold started at the JCT in 1987 and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff. His work on the committee includes capital gains taxation, savings incentives, environmental and energy taxes, estate and gift taxation, the taxation of multinational enterprises, the low-income housing tax credit, and tax-exempt bonds. He also studies pension issues and charitable organizations for the committee. Mr. Barthold holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Harvard along with an M.S. and B.A. from Northwestern Universities.

"The work of the Joint Committee on Taxation is essential to the goals of Congress and the Finance Committee. Mr. Barthold has done an exceptional job as Deputy Chief of Staff and I know he will continue to be a strong leader going forward," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman and JCT Vice Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT). "We have a lot on our plate right now, and the workload will only increase, so we will depend on Mr. Barthold's dedication and work ethic to accomplish it all. I look forward to working with him in his new role."

"Tom Barthold has served the members of the Joint Committee well as he's worked his way up the ranks of staff," said Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA). "Tom performs yeoman's service in managing the work product of a busy and important branch of the tax legislative system. In these challenging times, we're fortunate to retain the experience Tom brings to the tax policy table."

"Tom has already proven to be an invaluable resource to the tax-writing Committees and the Congress at large," said Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI). "He did an admirable job as acting Chief of Staff and this appointment reflects the trust I and my colleagues have in him and his abilities."

The JCT is a bi-partisan, select committee which advises Congress on the systems and methods of internal revenue laws. The committee and its staff help foster a closer understanding of the detailed problems confronting both taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the development and application of tax law. The JCT is comprised of senior Democratic and Republican members from the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rangel is the current Chairman of the JCT until the Chairmanship rotates to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus in the next session of the 111th Congress.

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