EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON , D.C. 20503
December 31, 2020
Mr. Ted Kaufman
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20230
Dear Mr. Kaufman:
I am writing to correct several false statements that members of the Biden Transition
Team (BTT) are continuing to make regarding the Office of Management and Budget's (0MB)
cooperation with your team. On November 23, 2020, the same day that the General Service
Administration (GSA) provided ascertainment, 0MB moved swiftly to apportion $9.9 million
for transition activities. Congress provides these funds for an incoming administration to hire a
transition team, and also utilize volunteers. Any work to develop Biden Administration policies
should be done by that team.
Since ascertainment, 0MB has provided significant briefing materials on its operations,
and has provided factual information about ongoing programs to the BTT upon request. We
have taken more than 45 meetings with your staff to discuss specific issues, operational
questions, and more. It is appropriate for 0MB to share information about ongoing programs so
the BTT can use it to develop its own policies. We have provided all information requested from
0MB about ongoing programs.
To your specific criticisms with respect to COVID, as you are aware, your team has been
briefed by 0MB, as well as the relevant agencies, on Operation Warp Speed and other COVID-
relief efforts, including the various funding streams in use for these efforts. Furthermore, there is
record of your team accessing these critical documents just last week.
As the record shows, 0MB has fully participated in appropriate transition efforts. What
we have not done and will not do is use current 0MB staff to write the BTT's legislative policy
proposals to dismantle this Administration's work. 0MB staff are working on this
Administration's policies and will do so until this Administration's final day in office.
Redirecting staff and resources to draft your team's budget proposals is not an 0MB transition
responsibility.
Our system of government has one President and one Administration at a time. 0MB
will not participate in developing policies that will weaken border security, dismantle the
President's deregulatory successes, and draft budgets that will bankrupt America.
Sincerely,
Russell T. Vought
Director