House Democratic leaders are quietly mounting a marketing campaign for Shalanda Young, a longtime congressional aide, to switch Neera Tanden as nominee for director of the Office of Management and Budget, individuals acquainted with the matter inform Axios.
Why it issues: The nascent marketing campaign for Young, who could be OMB’s first Black feminine chief, displays a stark actuality taking maintain within the Democratic Party: Tanden’s prospects are quickly fading.
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Young is a former workers director for the House Appropriations Committee.
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“Ms. Young is a proven budget expert and is well qualified for the job,” stated Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Driving the information: Tanden’s candidacy suffered an additional setback Monday when Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Rob Portman of Ohio and Mitt Romney of Utah introduced their opposition.
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, one other potential Republican sure vote, has additionally signaled to supporters she’s unlikely to again Tanden.
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In the 50-50 Senate, Tanden would wish a minimum of one Republican to assist her nomination after Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia introduced Friday he would oppose her candidacy.
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White House press secretary Jen Psaki publicly stood by Tanden on Monday. “She has a record of working with members of both parties, views from both parties and we have no doubt she’d do that as budget director,” Psaki informed reporters.
The intrigue: Young, who’s at present ready for a affirmation listening to within the Senate to be deputy OMB director, should still face competitors from Gene Sperling, who has the excellence of twice main the National Economic Council.
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Sperling — together with Bruce Reed, now the White House deputy chief of workers — was thought-about to guide OMB through the transition. Both have been handed over in favor of Tanden, who could be the primary lady of shade to carry the submit.
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While Sperling has many allies contained in the White House, the push for range — and the need to rack up “firsts” — continues to be vital to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Among Biden’s high financial advisers and nominees, six are ladies and 4 of them are ladies of shade.
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Progressives, nonetheless, are mounting a public marketing campaign for Sperling, with Dean Baker, the director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, vouching for his credentials.
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“While I would not have wanted the Gene Sperling of 25 years ago to hold a top position in the Biden administration, I think the Gene Sperling of today would be an outstanding pick as head of OMB,” Baker wrote in The American Prospect.
Go deeper: House Democratic leaders are prepared to push for Young, who also has support from some prominent members of the Congressional Black Caucus, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has had some success in convincing Biden to select at least one congressional aide for his Cabinet, including Katherine Tai for U.S. trade representative.
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“While I am hopeful for Ms. Tanden’s nomination, I cannot say enough good things about Ms. Young,” stated Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. “She is extensively revered by members on each side of the aisle for her experience.”
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