Jason Furman reflects on his contributions to the economic policy of both terms of the Obama presidency. Furman discusses key economic issues and negotiations with which he was closely involved, including the stimulus programs of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, health care reform and the Affordable Care Act, changes in tax policy, and federal budget agreements. Furman speaks broadly abo ut important economic themes and trends during the period of his service, paying particular attention to the pace of the economic recovery, the health of American labor markets, income and wealth inequality, corporate consolidation and market competitiveness, and health care costs. Furman also provides details about the work of both the National Economic Council and the Council of Economic Advisors, describing their respective responsibilities and their participation in the events of both presidential terms. Also discussed are recent trends in academic economics, the culture and structure of economic debate in the Obama White House, the character of Republican congressional opposition, differences between the first and second presidential terms, and efforts toward energy and climate change policy
Presidents--United States; Presidential campaigns--United States; Budget process--Law and legislation--United States; Climatic changes--Law and legislation--United States; Energy policy--United States; Income distribution--United States; Labor market--United States; Health care reform--United States; Furman, Jason; Obama, Barack; National Economic Council (U.S.); Council of Economic Advisers (U.S.); United States; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2020
Physical Description
168 pages
Note (Biographical)
Jason Furman served as economic policy director for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, as assistant to the president and principal deputy director of the National Economic Council, and as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in the Oba ma administration. He has a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University, where, at the time of the interview, he teaches in the Department of Economics as well as at Harvard Kennedy School
Note
Interviewed by Dov Weinryb Grohsgal on June 11 and 29, and October 1, 2020. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Jason Furman, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2022