WAS SHINGTON (AP) – Nira Tanden’s appointment to lead the White House Office of Management and Budget was dropped Friday because of Sen. of West Virginia. J Manchin has become the first democratic legislator to oppose his confirmation.
During his confirmation hearing, Tanden apologized for spending years attacking top Republicans on social media. She is a former adviser to Hillary Clinton and has served as president of the Liberal-Leaning Center for American Progress. Since the Senate is evenly divided between 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats, it will need the support of at least one Republican to get confirmation.
“I believe that his biased statements will have a toxic and detrimental effect on the important working relationship between members of Congress and the next director of the Fiscal Management Budget,” Manchin said in a statement. He further said that in times of serious crisis, “it is more important than ever to give our country a new bilateral curriculum chart to face the many serious challenges facing it.”
Biden faced this first real test for nomination, in which most of his elections were traveling out of the chamber with bipartisan support. Tanden also reprimanded some Democrats on social media, especially Sen. Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont.
Biden on Friday asked if he would pull Tandon’s nomination, saying he would not.
“I think we will find the votes and get them confirmed,” Biden said.
A few minutes ago, the White House issued a statement defending itself.
White House Press Secretary Jane Sasaki said Nira Tanden is a skilled policy expert who will be an excellent budget director and we look forward to the committee’s vote next week and move forward with their confirmation through engagement with both parties.
Tandon, who will lead the OMB, will be the first woman of color to lead efforts to ensure that the administration’s priorities are reflected in laws and regulations.
The Senate Budget Committee is due to vote on his nomination next week.
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