Bipartisan Policy Center
Background
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that describes itself as “a Washington, DC-based think tank that actively fosters bipartisanship by combining the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all Americans.”1“About,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived March 16, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/u0S9k
The BPC has previously described itself as an “incubator for policy efforts that engage top political figures, advocates, academics and business leaders in the art of principled compromise.” According to a page on the group’s website that was archived in 2009, the Bipartisan Policy Center was established by former senators Howard Baker (R-Tenn.), Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Bob Dole (R-Kansas) and George J. Mitchell (D-Maine).2“About Us,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived March 15, 2009. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/gzBVX
BPC formally launched in March 2007. The National Commission on Energy Policy (NCEP), which BPC describes as the predecessor to its current Energy Project, was founded in 2002.3“About,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived March 16, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/u0S9k
Oil & Gas Funding
According to 2013 reporting by The Washington Post4“At the Bipartisan Policy Center, is cash the real divide?” The Washington Post, August 15, 2013. Archived April 20, 2021., as well as a profile published by the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University, the Bipartisan Policy Center has a history of getting a “free ride” from the press as it “routinely advocates, under the guise of independent scholarship, for policies that benefit its donors.”5“The Bipartisan Lobbying Center,” Harvard University: The Lab @ Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics. Archived July 30, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/yaLyX
Those donors include energy companies, oil companies, and energy trade organizations, such as ExxonMobil and America’s Natural Gas Alliance.
BPC Action / Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network
BPC Action is the Bipartisan Policy Center’s political action committee. “We are committed to seeing bipartisan policy solutions enacted into law, and we work closely with our 501(c)(3) partner, the Bipartisan Policy Center, to advance smart policies through the legislative process,” the BPC Action’s website reads.6“About Us,” BPC Action. Archived March 17, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/25B6w
BPC Action previously went by the name Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network (BPCAN), which “work[ed] directly with Congress and the administration—translating BPC projects into workable proposals and finding common ground between Democrats and Republicans,” according to the group’s 2013 annual report.7“Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network” (PDF), Bipartisan Policy Network, 2014.
BPC’s 2011 annual report (2011) outlined its “Advocacy Network” as follows: “BPCAN pairs the substantive analysis of BPC with strong advocacy efforts and ongoing strategic engagement with the legislative process. The sister organizations work as complementary efforts: BPC impacts the public dialogue and then BPCAN influences the policy outcomes.”8“New Heights: Shaping the Perspective” (PDF), Bipartisan Policy Center, 2011. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Bipartisan Policy Center Lobbying
According to data from OpenSecrets.org, a project of the Center for Responsive Politics, BPCAN spent over $2 million lobbying in 2020.9“Client Profile: Bipartisan Policy Center,” OpenSecrets.org. Accessed March 19, 2021.
| Year | Lobbying Expenditure |
| 2020 | $2,040,000 |
| 2019 | $1,620,000 |
| 2018 | $1,280,000 |
| 2017 | $1,315,000 |
| 2016 | $1,367,712 |
Stance on Climate Change
The Bipartisan Policy Center has produced reports and white papers on climate policy, such as:
- “Understanding Border Carbon Adjustments,” November 29, 2022
- “Using Carbon Credits to Deploy Climate Solutions,” November 9, 2022
- “The Role of Categorial Exclusions in Achieving Net-Zero by 2050,” September 27, 2022
- “The Case for Federal Support to Advance Direct Air Capture,” June 24, 2021
The BPC has also hosted panel discussions on energy policies, such as:
- “Mining in the Future,” December 21, 2022
- “Natural Climate Solutions: What We Know, How We Know It and What’s Next,” June 29, 2022
- “Corporations and Climate: Potential Impacts of the SEC’s Proposed New Rule,” April 7, 2022
- “Leveraging Natural Gas Networks to Achieve Net-Zero,” March 29, 2022
Funding
The information below is taken from IRS Form 990 filings, and data archived at the Conservative Transparency project. Note that not all individual values have been verified by DeSmog.
View the attached spreadsheet for additional details on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s funding by year (.xlsx).
| Donor | Total |
| The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation | $12,552,500 |
| John D & Catherine T Macarthur Foundation | $6,594,000 |
| Democracy Fund | $4,550,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | $3,610,750 |
| Peter G. Peterson Foundation | $3,126,000 |
| WK Kellogg Foundation | $2,326,908 |
| Carnegie Corporation of New York | $1,625,500 |
| The Scan Foundation | $1,115,905 |
| Nuclear Energy Institute | $1,040,000 |
| Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation | $937,502 |
| Robert Wood Johnson Foundation | $874,384 |
| Denver Foundation | $629,100 |
| American Natural Gas Alliance | $625,000 |
| Exxon Mobil | $590,000 |
| David and Lucile Packard Foundation | $535,000 |
| The Heising-Simons Foundation | $525,000 |
| Rockefeller Foundation | $500,000 |
| Financial Services Forum | $500,000 |
| Annie E Casey Foundation | $472,500 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | $450,000 |
| Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | $424,779 |
| Climateworks Foundation | $380,000 |
| Charles Stewart Mott Foundation | $375,000 |
| Alfred P Sloan Foundation | $349,989 |
| Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association | $280,000 |
| Schwab Charitable Fund | $253,500 |
| Robertson Foundation | $250,000 |
| Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation | $237,100 |
| The Kresge Foundation | $200,000 |
| Smith Richardson Foundation | $200,000 |
| Neo Philanthropic Action Fund | $200,000 |
| Energy Foundation | $200,000 |
| The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation | $200,000 |
| Kaiser Foundation Health Plan | $200,000 |
| Edison Electric Institute | $200,000 |
| Geisinger Health | $200,000 |
| Ounce of Prevention Fund | $175,000 |
| Democracy Fund Voice | $165,000 |
| Lumina Foundation for Education | $158,800 |
| PhRMA | $155,000 |
| Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston | $150,000 |
| National Association for the Education of Young Children | $135,000 |
| HSAF | $132,000 |
| Institute for Mental Health and Wellness | $125,000 |
| Stuart Family Foundation | $125,000 |
| Howard G Buffett Foundation | $125,000 |
| The Ford Foundation | $100,000 |
| Alliance for Early Success | $100,000 |
| Strada Education Network | $100,000 |
| American Council of Life Insurers | $100,000 |
| American Bankers Association | $100,000 |
| American Gas Association | $100,000 |
| Chan Soon-Shion Family Foundation | $100,000 |
| American Petroleum Institute | $75,000 |
| Parekh Vora Charitable Foundation | $75,000 |
| Henry M Jackson Endowment | $69,529 |
| With Honor Action | $60,000 |
| Charles G Koch Charitable Foundation | $60,000 |
| Marguerite Casey Foundation | $50,000 |
| Foundation for the Defense of Democracies | $50,000 |
| Foundation for a Better World | $50,000 |
| ECMC Foundation | $50,000 |
| Rock Foundation | $50,000 |
| Georgescu Family Foundation | $30,000 |
| Jewish Community Federation of S F Marin Peninsula and Sonoma Counties | $25,000 |
| FM Kirby Foundation | $20,000 |
| Hertog Foundation | $5,000 |
| Cedars Foundation | $1,000 |
| Grand Total | $50,146,746 |
Donors
The following donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, have been listed in the Bipartisan Policy Center’s annual reports:
BPC IRS Form 990 Filings
BPC Action IRS Form 990 Filings
BPC Annual Reports
Key People
See below for a list of key staff and leadership at the Bipartisan Policy Center, via data from the Internet Archive and publicly available IRS form 990 filings.
You can also view the data in the attached spreadsheet for a full list of Bipartisan Policy Center’s key people by year (.xlsx).
BPC Action
Notable individuals:
- Doyle N. Beneby, Jr. – Director at Capital Power Corporation, former CEO of Next Generation Power, former president and CEO of CPS Energy, former president of Exelon Energy10“Doyle Beneby,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- David W. Conover – Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Kinder Morgan since 2015.11“Dave Conover,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Maria Contreras-Sweet – Director at Sempra Energy since March 201712“Maria Contreras-Sweet,” Sempra Energy. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TSgYq
- John C. Danforth – Former Dow Chemical Company board member13“Danforth leaves Dow board; appointed U.S. rep. to U.N.” Midland Daily News, June 26, 2004. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YeVK1
- C. Robert Henrikson – Former president and CEO of MetLife, Inc. Has been a board member of Invesco.14“C. Robert Henrikson,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2ZB1g 15“Invesco, Ltd.” SourceWatch. Accessed April 1, 2021.
- Walter Isaacson – Distinguished fellow at the Aspen Institute16“Walter Isaacson,” Aspen Institute. Archived March 30, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/t8qnq
- Sasha Mackler – Formerly oversaw market development and energy policy at Enviva, a biomass fuel supplier and led the CCS business at Summit Power Group17“Sasha Mackler,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/qJRru
- Blaise Misztal – Former fellow at the Hudson Institute, 2019 – 202018“Blaise Misztal,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- John W. Rowe – Former chairman and CEO of Exelon Corporation. Member of American Enterprise Institute‘s National Council.19“National Council,” AEI. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Q4MtN
- Kristin M. Leary – From 2002-2005, Director of State Affairs at the Chlorine Chemistry Council, part of the chemical industry trade association American Chemistry Council.20“Kristin Leary,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- Susan N. Story – Former president and CEO of Gulf Power Company, a Florida subsidiary of Southern Company. Also former Executive Vice President of Engineering and Construction Services of Southern Company.21“Susan Story,” Alliance to Save Energy. Archived March 31, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jSreC
- Leana Wen – Brookings Institution Nonresident Senior Fellow22“Dr. Leana Wen,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZZLeX
- Eric Washburn – Partner at BlueWater Strategies LLC,23“Eric Washburn,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021. a group whose clients have included fossil fuel companies such as BP, Exelon, ConocoPhillips, America’s Natural Gas Alliance, and others.24“Lobbying Firm Profile: BlueWater Strategies,” OpenSecrets. Accessed April 2021.
- Geisha Williams – Board chair of Osmose Utility Services. Board member of Siemens. Energy.25“GeishaWilliams,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FLKCT Former board member of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), former CEO and President of PG&E Corporation, former Vice President of Power Systems at Florida Power and Light Company26“Geisha Williams,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Mortimer Zuckerman – Chairman and editor-in-chief of US News & World Report and publisher of New York Daily News27“Mortimer B. Zuckerman,” E.S. News & World Report. Archived April 2, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/42O1H
Leadership
- David W. Conover – Joined Kinder Morgan as Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs in 201528“Dave Conover,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- G. William Hoagland – Former vice president of public policy for CIGNA Corporation.29“G. William Hoagland,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 7, 2021,. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Z8tk1
- Robert Traynham– Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Communications for the Senate Republican Conference, where he served Rick Santorum. Has been an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University.30“Robert Traynham,” Aids Responsibility Project. Archived April 7, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/oyTsX
Experts & Fellows
- Katharine G. Abraham – Research associate at the Brookings Institution, 1985 – 198731“Katharine G. Abraham,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vP8r7
- Martin Neil Baily – Senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution32“Martin Neil Baily,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/d3MZJ
- George David Banks – Executive vice president of the American Council on Capital Formation. Formerly worked with Boyden Gray & Associates. Former Washington, D.C. liaison for the Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions.
- Haley Barbour – Worked for the lobbying firm Barbour Griffith & Rogers,33“Barbour, Haley,” OpenSecrets. Accessed April 19, 2021. which provided services34“Dear Tommy,” Barbour Griffith & Rogers, June 2, 2000. Retrieved from Truth Tobacco Industry Documents library. Bates No. 3981 -3983. to R.J. Reynolds. Former board member of the Washington Legal Foundation.35“Legal Policy Advisory Board,” Washington Legal Foundation. Archived February 21, 2008. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/R8Kf2
- Samuel Brinton – Listed on the Breakthrough Institute website, an organization founded by Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus.36“Samuel Brinton,” The Breakthrough Institute. Archived April 7, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/h6y67
- Theresa Cardinal Brown – Former director of immigration and border policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2001 – 2005).37“Theresa Cardinal Brown,” LinkedIn. Accessed April, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Jason J. Fichtner – Former senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center38“Jason J. Fichtner,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 20,2 021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Ps9qC
- John C. Fortier – Resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, 2020–present. AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project: principal contributor 2006–11; research fellow, 2002–11.39“John C. Fortier,” American Enterprise Institute. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/O8hvL
- Steven F. Hayward – Senior fellow in environmental studies at at the Pacific Research Institute (PRI); Weyerhaeuser Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI); Also a director of the Donors Capital Fund (DCF); grant advisor for Searle Freedom Trust, board member of the Institute for Energy Research, Property and Environment Research Center (PERC).
- G. William Hoagland – Former vice president of public policy for CIGNA Corporation40“G. William Hoagland,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 7, 2021,. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Z8tk1
- Ron Haskins – Senior Fellow Emeritus in the Economic Studies program at the Brookings Institution41“Ron Haskins,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 189, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cx4wd
- Colette D. Honorable – Former non-resident senior fellow at the Cross-Brookings Initiative on Energy and Climate, a Brookings Center project.42“COLETTE D. HONORABLE,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 7, 2021.
- Gregory Johnson – Member of Leadership Council, Securing America’s Future Energy43 “ENERGY SECURITY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL,” SAFE. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/L6VGt
- Abby McCloskey – Member of American Enterprise Institute–Brookings Institution paid leave working group, former Program Director for Economic Policy at AEI, 2013 – 2014. Former policy associate at Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, 2008–2009.44“Abby M. McCloskey,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Meghan McGuinness – Before joining BPC, was a consultant at NERA Economic Consulting, 2008–2009.45“Meghan McGuinness,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- Blaise Misztal – Former fellow at the Hudson Institute , 2019 – 202046“Blaise Misztal,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Alice M. Rivlin (1931 – 2019) – Former senior fellow for economic studies at the Brookings Institution47“ALICE M. RIVLIN,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/p0ZSx
- Avik Roy – Former visiting fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation,48“Avik Roy,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7NTnk. President of Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP).49“FREOPP Leadership: Avik Roy,” FREOPPP, September 12, 2016. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9XKgx
- Timothy Shaw – Left BPC to work at The Aspen Institute (October 2019).50“Tim Shaw,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- Dennis C. Shea – Non-resident adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies51“Dennis C. Shea,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- John Soroushian – Formerly worked at Brookings Institution, 2010 – 201252“John Babak Soroushian,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Phillip L. Swagel – Non-resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.53“What President Obama can do to achieve an economic legacy,” American Enterprise Institute, October 8, 2014. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vYHnu Affiliated with AEI since 2005.54“Phillip Swagel will be an excellent CBO director,” American Enterprise Institute, May 16, 2019. Archived April 8, 2021, Archive URL:https://archive.ph/CtRzO
- Jim Talent – Peabody Energy, via lobbying by Mercury Public Affairs – where Talent was co-chair.55Farron Cousins. “Top Romney Advisor Touts Coal, Fails To Mention His Role As Coal Lobbyist,” DeSmog, October 1, 2012.
- Susan Tierney – Former member of the National Petroleum Council (as of 2010/2011).56“Members by Name,” NPC.org. Archived June 16, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cI0MV
- Tommy G. Thompson – Has been on the advisory board of the Washington Legal Foundation (WLF), a group which opposed tobacco control.57“Legal Policy Advisory Board,” Washington Legal Foundation. Archived June 1, 2004. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/LfHbs Recipient of the American Legislative Exchange Council‘s 1991 Thomas Jefferson Award.”58“Governor Tommy G. Thompson of Wisconsin” (PDF), Kaiser Network. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Roger Wallace – Has been Vice President for Government Affairs at Pioneer Natural Resources Company, an independent oil and gas company based in Irving, Texas.59“Board and Advisory Council,” Inter-American-Foundation. Archived July 28, 2006. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZV63l
- Matthew Weil – Former research assistant at the American Enterprise Institute, where he helped launch AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project60“Matthew Weil,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Vin Weber – Co-director of Empower America61“Vin Weber,” Clark and Weinstock. Archived August 12, 2002. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0wa6m; co-director of the Aspen Institute‘s Domestic Strategy Group;62“Vin Weber,” Aspen Institute. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/LqXsy board member of Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW).63(Press Release). “CAGW Announces Former Rep. Vin Weber‘s Addition to the Board,” Citizens Against Government Waste, January 24, 2001. Archived December 15, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7w7Kq
Staff
- Katharine G. Abraham – Research associate at the Brookings Institution, 1985 – 198764“Katharine G. Abraham,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vP8r7
- Loren Adler – Associate Director of the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy, 2016 – present; research associate at NERA Economic Consulting, 2007 – 2008.65“Loren Adler,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Haley Barbour – R.J. Reynolds lobbyist; former board member of the Washington Legal Foundation.66“Barbour, Haley,” OpenSecrets. Accessed April 19, 2021. 67“Dear Tommy,” Barbour Griffith & Rogers, June 2, 2000. Retrieved from Truth Tobacco Industry Documents library. Bates No. 3981 -3983. 68“Legal Policy Advisory Board,” Washington Legal Foundation. Archived February 21, 2008. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/R8Kf2
- Benjamin Brophy – Former Director of Digital Strategy at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and former New Media Director for Public Notice, 2011 – 2012.69“Ben Brophy,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Theresa Cardinal Brown – Former Director of Immigration and Border Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2001 – 2005.70“Theresa Cardinal Brown,” LinkedIn. Accessed April, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Maria Contreras-Sweet – Director at Sempra Energy since March 201771“Maria Contreras-Sweet,” Sempra Energy. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TSgYq
- John C. Fortier – Resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, 2020–present. AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project: principal contributor 2006–11; research fellow, 2002–11.72“John C. Fortier,” American Enterprise Institute. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/O8hvL
- Ben Gitis – Former member of the American Enterprise Institute–Brookings Institution Working Group on Paid Family Leave;73“Ben Gitis,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL:https://archive.ph/o37BP Director of Labor Market Policy at the American Action Forum.74“Ben Gitis,” American Enterprise Institute. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JlE95
- Alex Gold – Former research associate at the Brookings Institution75“Alex Gold,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Ron Haskins – Senior Fellow Emeritus in the Economic Studies program at the Brookings Institution76“Ron Haskins,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 189, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cx4wd
- G. William Hoagland – Former vice president of public policy for CIGNA Corporation77“G. William Hoagland,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 7, 2021,. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Z8tk1
- Blake Johnson – Interned in government relations at the Heritage Foundation, 2006.78“Blake Johnson,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Garrett Langdon – Former director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Sigma Energy Ventures, an oil and gas exploration company79“Garrett Langdon, MBA,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Lourdes Long – Went on to multiple positions at Chevron after leaving BPC, most recently in corporate business development.80“Lourdes Long,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Sasha Mackler – Formerly oversaw market development and energy policy at Enviva, a biomass fuel supplier, and led the carbon capture and storage (CCS) business at Summit Power Group.81“Sasha Mackler,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/qJRru
- Meghan McGuinness – Before joining BPC, was a consultant at NERA Economic Consulting, 2008–2009.82“Meghan McGuinness,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill – Former executive director of the Fund for Academic Renewal, a program of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA)83“Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jlXMT
- Blaise Misztal – Former fellow at the Hudson Institute, 2019 – 202084“Blaise Misztal,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Rachel Orey – Interned at the Brookings Institution85“Rachel Orey,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 19, 2021.
- Kelly Parsons – Became Media Relations Coordinator at The Brookings Institution in November 2020, after leaving BPC.86“Kelly Parsons,” LinkedIn. Accessed April, 2021.
- Devon M. Rodonets – Former public affairs coordinator at the Aspen Institute87“The 2011 Aspen Security Forum” (PDF), Aspen Institute, July 2011. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Timothy Shaw – Left BPC to work at The Aspen Institute, October 2019.88“Tim Shaw,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- Toby Z. Rice – President and CEO of EQT Corporation, one of the largest natural gas producers in the United States89“Biden unveils his infrastructure vision,” Politico, March 31, 2021. Archived March 31, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/C0TNZ
- Jonathan Ruhe – Former researcher at the Hudson Institute, 2005 – 200990“Jonathan Ruhe,” LinkedIn. Accessed April, 2021.
- Amelia Shister – Former project coordinator at the Brookings Institution, 2014 – 2016.91“Amelia Shister,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- John Soroushian – Formerly worked at the Brookings Institution92“John Babak Soroushian,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- Matthew Weil – Former research assistant at the American Enterprise Institute, where he helped launch AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project.93“Matthew Weil,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
Actions
March 2021
George David Banks, former executive vice president of the Koch-funded American Council for Capital Formation,94“George David Banks,” LinkedIn. Accessed March 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. joined the Bipartisan Policy Center as a fellow.95“George David Banks Joins the Bipartisan Policy Center as Fellow,” Bipartisan Policy Center, March 16, 2021. Archived March 22, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/P2L3h
“We’re proud to welcome David as a fellow in our Energy Project. Dave has tremendous experience working with Republicans on energy and climate policy issues both in Congress and the executive branch,” said BPC Energy Project Director Sasha Mackler in an announcement.96“George David Banks Joins the Bipartisan Policy Center as Fellow,” Bipartisan Policy Center, March 16, 2021. Archived March 22, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/P2L3h
Banks formerly worked under Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), a notorious climate change denier, at the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. During the Trump administration, Banks was a Special Assistant for International Energy and Environment at the National Economic and National Security Councils.
2020
BPC lobbied on the Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020 (S. 3894/H.R. 7393), which would have introduced a “a voluntary framework for certifying third-party credits” for carbon.97“Issues Lobbied By Bipartisan Policy Center, 2020,” Opensecrets. Accessed March 19, 2021. 98“In Support of The Growing Climate Solutions Act (S.3894/H.R.7393),” R Street, July 29, 2020. Archived March 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TsL0a
More than 200 groups, including representatives from farmer, farmworker, environmental justice, climate, environmental, faith-based, and animal welfare organizations signed an open letter to members of Congress in opposition to the bill, which stated in part:
“…this legislation will allow greenhouse gas emissions to continue unchecked and will undermine efforts to build a healthy, sustainable, and resilient food system.99“Over 200 Organizations Reject ‘Growing Climate Solutions Act’,” Food & Water Watch, October 15, 2020. Archived March 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/M2yFh
“Carbon markets fail to reduce emissions overall and exacerbate pollution hot-spots in low-wealth communities and communities of color, the groups said. Power plants and industrial polluters, disproportionately located in these communities, purchase credits that allow them to continue burning toxic fossil fuels releasing harmful pollutants that compromise local health and well-being.”
In a press release announcing the open letter, Mitch Jones, Policy Director of Food & Water Action, stated that “the misguided Growing Climate Solutions Act will allow corporations to indulge in more fracking and other forms of fossil fuel pollution, while creating a stream of bogus carbon reduction ‘credits’ that will benefit industrial agriculture and factory farming. Rather than promoting feel good policies that merely perpetuate the status quo, we need bold action from Congress that will create real climate solutions that promote sustainable agriculture and an end to fossil fuels.”
July 30, 2020
BPC’s Energy Project launched a “Farm and Forest Carbon Solutions Initiative” on July 30, 2020.100(Press Release). “BPC Announces Launch of the Farm and Forest Carbon Solutions Initiative,” Bipartisan Policy Center, July 30, 2020. Archived March 22, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0XMqx
August 12, 2013
According to a report by the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen titled “Made in the Shade: An examination of whether the Bipartisan Policy Center is truly neutral,” 101“Made in the Shade: AN EXAMINATION OF WHETHER THE BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER IS TRULY NEUTRAL” (PDF), Public Citizen, 2013. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog., BPC “made a series of bank-friendly financial policy recommendations” while receiving funding from banks “and the intellectual support of individuals linked with those banks.”102(Press Release). “Bipartisan Policy Center’s Financial Policy Initiative Dominated by Individuals Tied to Big Banks, Recommends Bank-Friendly Policies, New Public Citizen Report Finds,” Public Citizen, August 12, 2013. Archived October 25, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/sJoem
July 2013
In the wake of two tragedies at Bangladeshi garment factories that killed more than 1200 workers: 2013’s Rana Plaza factory collapse and 2012’s Tazreen Fashion factory fire, the Bipartisan Policy Center released the “Global Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety.” The Nation reported that the BPC had “significant financial ties to the [major U.S.] retailers” backing the plan, including the law firm Alston & Bird, one of numerous registered lobbying firms representing Walmart.103Lee Fang. “Think Tank Releasing Rival Bangladesh Safety Accord Receives Funds From Walmart and Its Lobbyists,” The Nation, July 9, 2013. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PytzJ
The BPC’s plan was intended to rival the “Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh,” a prior agreement signed by more than 70 companies and “largely welcomed by labor rights NGOs for ensuring international inspectors into facilities, greater contractor transparency and for a requirement that retailers fund necessary safety upgrades at garment factories.”104Lee Fang. “Think Tank Releasing Rival Bangladesh Safety Accord Receives Funds From Walmart and Its Lobbyists,” The Nation, July 9, 2013. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PytzJ
In contrast, according to The Nation, the BPC’s plan was “panned by critics as a smokescreen designed to help them skirt responsibility for fixing their factory ‘deathtraps.'”105Lee Fang. “Think Tank Releasing Rival Bangladesh Safety Accord Receives Funds From Walmart and Its Lobbyists,” The Nation, July 9, 2013. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PytzJ
Related Organizations
- BPC Action
- Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network (BPCAN)
Contact & Address
According to the BPC website, the group’s mailing address, phone number, and email are :106“About,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived March 16, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/u0S9k
1225 Eye Street, NW Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-204-2400
[email protected]
Social Media
Other Resources
- Bipartisan Policy Center – SourceWatch profile
- Bipartisan Policy Center on Wikipedia
- OpenSecrets lobbying profile for Bipartisan Policy Center
Resources
- 1“About,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived March 16, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/u0S9k
- 2“About Us,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived March 15, 2009. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/gzBVX
- 3“About,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived March 16, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/u0S9k
- 4“At the Bipartisan Policy Center, is cash the real divide?” The Washington Post, August 15, 2013. Archived April 20, 2021.
- 5“The Bipartisan Lobbying Center,” Harvard University: The Lab @ Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics. Archived July 30, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/yaLyX
- 6“About Us,” BPC Action. Archived March 17, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/25B6w
- 7“Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network” (PDF), Bipartisan Policy Network, 2014.
- 8“New Heights: Shaping the Perspective” (PDF), Bipartisan Policy Center, 2011. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 9“Client Profile: Bipartisan Policy Center,” OpenSecrets.org. Accessed March 19, 2021.
- 10“Doyle Beneby,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 11
- 12“Maria Contreras-Sweet,” Sempra Energy. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TSgYq
- 13“Danforth leaves Dow board; appointed U.S. rep. to U.N.” Midland Daily News, June 26, 2004. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YeVK1
- 14
- 15
- 16“Walter Isaacson,” Aspen Institute. Archived March 30, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/t8qnq
- 17“Sasha Mackler,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/qJRru
- 18“Blaise Misztal,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 19“National Council,” AEI. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Q4MtN
- 20“Kristin Leary,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- 21“Susan Story,” Alliance to Save Energy. Archived March 31, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jSreC
- 22“Dr. Leana Wen,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZZLeX
- 23
- 24“Lobbying Firm Profile: BlueWater Strategies,” OpenSecrets. Accessed April 2021.
- 25“GeishaWilliams,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FLKCT
- 26
- 27“Mortimer B. Zuckerman,” E.S. News & World Report. Archived April 2, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/42O1H
- 28
- 29“G. William Hoagland,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 7, 2021,. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Z8tk1
- 30“Robert Traynham,” Aids Responsibility Project. Archived April 7, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/oyTsX
- 31“Katharine G. Abraham,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vP8r7
- 32“Martin Neil Baily,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/d3MZJ
- 33“Barbour, Haley,” OpenSecrets. Accessed April 19, 2021.
- 34“Dear Tommy,” Barbour Griffith & Rogers, June 2, 2000. Retrieved from Truth Tobacco Industry Documents library. Bates No. 3981 -3983.
- 35“Legal Policy Advisory Board,” Washington Legal Foundation. Archived February 21, 2008. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/R8Kf2
- 36“Samuel Brinton,” The Breakthrough Institute. Archived April 7, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/h6y67
- 37“Theresa Cardinal Brown,” LinkedIn. Accessed April, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 38“Jason J. Fichtner,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 20,2 021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Ps9qC
- 39“John C. Fortier,” American Enterprise Institute. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/O8hvL
- 40“G. William Hoagland,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 7, 2021,. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Z8tk1
- 41“Ron Haskins,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 189, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cx4wd
- 42“COLETTE D. HONORABLE,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 7, 2021.
- 43“ENERGY SECURITY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL,” SAFE. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/L6VGt
- 44“Abby M. McCloskey,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 45“Meghan McGuinness,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- 46“Blaise Misztal,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 47“ALICE M. RIVLIN,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/p0ZSx
- 48“Avik Roy,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7NTnk
- 49“FREOPP Leadership: Avik Roy,” FREOPPP, September 12, 2016. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9XKgx
- 50“Tim Shaw,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- 51“Dennis C. Shea,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 52“John Babak Soroushian,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 53“What President Obama can do to achieve an economic legacy,” American Enterprise Institute, October 8, 2014. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vYHnu
- 54“Phillip Swagel will be an excellent CBO director,” American Enterprise Institute, May 16, 2019. Archived April 8, 2021, Archive URL:https://archive.ph/CtRzO
- 55Farron Cousins. “Top Romney Advisor Touts Coal, Fails To Mention His Role As Coal Lobbyist,” DeSmog, October 1, 2012.
- 56“Members by Name,” NPC.org. Archived June 16, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cI0MV
- 57“Legal Policy Advisory Board,” Washington Legal Foundation. Archived June 1, 2004. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/LfHbs
- 58“Governor Tommy G. Thompson of Wisconsin” (PDF), Kaiser Network. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 59“Board and Advisory Council,” Inter-American-Foundation. Archived July 28, 2006. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZV63l
- 60“Matthew Weil,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 61“Vin Weber,” Clark and Weinstock. Archived August 12, 2002. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0wa6m
- 62“Vin Weber,” Aspen Institute. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/LqXsy
- 63(Press Release). “CAGW Announces Former Rep. Vin Weber‘s Addition to the Board,” Citizens Against Government Waste, January 24, 2001. Archived December 15, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7w7Kq
- 64“Katharine G. Abraham,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vP8r7
- 65“Loren Adler,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 66“Barbour, Haley,” OpenSecrets. Accessed April 19, 2021.
- 67“Dear Tommy,” Barbour Griffith & Rogers, June 2, 2000. Retrieved from Truth Tobacco Industry Documents library. Bates No. 3981 -3983.
- 68“Legal Policy Advisory Board,” Washington Legal Foundation. Archived February 21, 2008. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/R8Kf2
- 69“Ben Brophy,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 70“Theresa Cardinal Brown,” LinkedIn. Accessed April, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 71“Maria Contreras-Sweet,” Sempra Energy. Archived April 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TSgYq
- 72“John C. Fortier,” American Enterprise Institute. Archived April 8, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/O8hvL
- 73“Ben Gitis,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL:https://archive.ph/o37BP
- 74“Ben Gitis,” American Enterprise Institute. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JlE95
- 75“Alex Gold,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 76“Ron Haskins,” Brookings Institution. Archived April 189, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cx4wd
- 77“G. William Hoagland,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 7, 2021,. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Z8tk1
- 78“Blake Johnson,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 79“Garrett Langdon, MBA,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 80“Lourdes Long,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 81“Sasha Mackler,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/qJRru
- 82“Meghan McGuinness,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- 83“Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived April 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jlXMT
- 84“Blaise Misztal,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 85“Rachel Orey,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 19, 2021.
- 86“Kelly Parsons,” LinkedIn. Accessed April, 2021.
- 87“The 2011 Aspen Security Forum” (PDF), Aspen Institute, July 2011. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 88“Tim Shaw,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 7, 2021.
- 89“Biden unveils his infrastructure vision,” Politico, March 31, 2021. Archived March 31, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/C0TNZ
- 90“Jonathan Ruhe,” LinkedIn. Accessed April, 2021.
- 91“Amelia Shister,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 92“John Babak Soroushian,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 93“Matthew Weil,” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2021.
- 94“George David Banks,” LinkedIn. Accessed March 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 95“George David Banks Joins the Bipartisan Policy Center as Fellow,” Bipartisan Policy Center, March 16, 2021. Archived March 22, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/P2L3h
- 96“George David Banks Joins the Bipartisan Policy Center as Fellow,” Bipartisan Policy Center, March 16, 2021. Archived March 22, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/P2L3h
- 97“Issues Lobbied By Bipartisan Policy Center, 2020,” Opensecrets. Accessed March 19, 2021.
- 98“In Support of The Growing Climate Solutions Act (S.3894/H.R.7393),” R Street, July 29, 2020. Archived March 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TsL0a
- 99“Over 200 Organizations Reject ‘Growing Climate Solutions Act’,” Food & Water Watch, October 15, 2020. Archived March 19, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/M2yFh
- 100(Press Release). “BPC Announces Launch of the Farm and Forest Carbon Solutions Initiative,” Bipartisan Policy Center, July 30, 2020. Archived March 22, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0XMqx
- 101“Made in the Shade: AN EXAMINATION OF WHETHER THE BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER IS TRULY NEUTRAL” (PDF), Public Citizen, 2013. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 102(Press Release). “Bipartisan Policy Center’s Financial Policy Initiative Dominated by Individuals Tied to Big Banks, Recommends Bank-Friendly Policies, New Public Citizen Report Finds,” Public Citizen, August 12, 2013. Archived October 25, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/sJoem
- 103Lee Fang. “Think Tank Releasing Rival Bangladesh Safety Accord Receives Funds From Walmart and Its Lobbyists,” The Nation, July 9, 2013. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PytzJ
- 104Lee Fang. “Think Tank Releasing Rival Bangladesh Safety Accord Receives Funds From Walmart and Its Lobbyists,” The Nation, July 9, 2013. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PytzJ
- 105Lee Fang. “Think Tank Releasing Rival Bangladesh Safety Accord Receives Funds From Walmart and Its Lobbyists,” The Nation, July 9, 2013. Archived April 20, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PytzJ
- 106“About,” Bipartisan Policy Center. Archived March 16, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/u0S9k
