American Action Forum

American Action Forum
Name	American Action Forum
Founder	Douglas Holtz-Eakin
Established	2010
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Type	Public policy think tank
Focus	Public policy analysis, fiscal policy, regulatory policy, energy policy
Leader name	Douglas Holtz-Eakin

American Action Forum is a Washington, D.C.-based public policy organization founded in 2010 that engages in policy analysis, regulatory review, and advocacy on fiscal and economic matters. It conducts research, publishes reports, and convenes events connecting policy experts, legislators, and industry representatives. The organization positions itself within contemporary debates involving taxation, healthcare, energy, and administrative law.

History

The group was established in 2010 under the leadership of economist Douglas Holtz-Eakin after a career that included roles at the Congressional Budget Office and as director of President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers. Early years involved producing reports that intersected with debates in the 112th United States Congress, the Tea Party movement, and regulatory actions under the Obama administration. Throughout the 2010s the organization expanded by hiring staff with experience at institutions such as the Brookings Institution, the Heritage Foundation, and the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Its timeline includes participation in discussions related to the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and major tax debates surrounding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Organization and Leadership

Leadership has featured figures with backgrounds in academia, government, and lobbying. Founder Douglas Holtz-Eakin served as president and CEO, supported by senior fellows and policy directors who previously worked at the Office of Management and Budget, the Federal Reserve, and congressional policy shops like the Senate Budget Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. Staff biographies often cite prior affiliations with universities such as Columbia University, Harvard University, and Georgetown University, and fellowships at organizations including the Cato Institute and the American Enterprise Institute. Governance includes a board of directors composed of leaders from think tanks, law firms, and corporations, reflecting connections with entities like Goldman Sachs, ExxonMobil, and major law practices.

Policy Positions and Research Areas

The organization emphasizes fiscal responsibility, tax policy, regulatory review, healthcare policy, and energy policy. Its research outputs have addressed topics including federal budget projections tied to analyses by the Congressional Budget Office, critiques of regulations implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency, and proposals concerning the Social Security Act and Medicare. On tax policy it provided commentary during legislative negotiations over the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and published analyses relevant to debates in the Joint Committee on Taxation. Energy work included commentary on policies affecting Natural gas markets and regulations from the Department of Energy and FERC. Health policy research engaged with litigation and rulemaking under the Department of Health and Human Services and cases argued before the Supreme Court of the United States. The group also conducts regulatory scoring and cost-benefit assessments referencing standards from the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and the Administrative Procedure Act.

Funding and Financials

Funding sources have included contributions from corporations, trade associations, and individual donors, alongside project-specific grants from philanthropic foundations. Financial disclosures and reporting to the Internal Revenue Service indicate revenue streams common among Washington-based policy organizations, with expenditures on research staff, events, and publications. Major donors and supporters have included entities in the energy sector such as ExxonMobil and financial firms like Citigroup, as well as trade groups representing telecommunications and healthcare interests. The organization's fiscal profile intersects with broader debates over non-profit funding transparency exemplified by legislative inquiries in the 112th United States Congress and proposals to adjust disclosure rules at the Internal Revenue Service.

Influence and Advocacy

The organization engages in advocacy through testimony before congressional committees, participation in panels at institutions like the American Bar Association and the National Press Club, and media appearances on outlets such as CNBC, Fox News, and The Wall Street Journal. Its staff regularly submit comment letters to agencies including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Communications Commission and provide expert input during rulemaking periods governed by the Administrative Procedure Act. Policy briefs and working papers have been cited by members of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives during markup sessions and floor debates. The organization also convenes conferences that attract participants from universities, think tanks, and corporate counsel offices.

Criticism and Controversies

Critics have raised concerns about funding relationships with corporate donors and potential influence on policy recommendations, echoing scrutiny directed at other policy organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. Investigations and reporting by media outlets including The New York Times and ProPublica have examined donor ties and influence on regulatory analysis. Controversies have centered on perceived conflicts of interest in areas such as energy and healthcare, with watchdog groups like Public Citizen and Common Cause calling for greater transparency. Debates have also engaged academics from institutions including Georgetown University and Harvard Law School over methodological approaches to cost-benefit analysis and assumptions used in fiscal projections.

Category:Think tanks based in Washington, D.C.