“I consider her overtly partisan statements can have a poisonous and detrimental affect on the essential working relationship between members of C
“I consider her overtly partisan statements can have a poisonous and detrimental affect on the essential working relationship between members of Congress and the subsequent director of the Workplace of Administration and Funds,” Manchin stated. “Because of this, I can not assist her nomination. As I’ve stated earlier than, we should take significant steps to finish the political division and dysfunction that pervades our politics.”
Biden might theoretically use a recess appointment to make Tanden head of OMB. However that would deliver procedural hurdles given Democrats’ slender Senate majority. It might, nonetheless, be the one possibility. Discovering Republican assist for Tanden would possibly show a heavy raise, particularly now that she doesn’t have full assist from Senate Democrats.
The White Home to date isn’t conceding defeat. When requested whether or not he’d pull Tanden’s nomination Friday night, Biden replied “no.”
“Neera Tanden is an completed coverage knowledgeable who can be a wonderful Funds Director and we look ahead to the committee votes subsequent week and to persevering with to work towards her affirmation via engagement with each events,” added White Home Press Secretary Jen Psaki.
The Senate Homeland Safety and Funds Committees are anticipated to vote on her nomination subsequent week.
Earlier this month, Tanden took warmth from either side of the aisle throughout two affirmation hearings wherein Republicans and Sanders each excoriated her social media historical past, criticizing her for previous remarks about each Republicans and progressives because the president and CEO of the Middle for American Progress.
“Your assaults weren’t simply made towards Republicans,” Sanders stated throughout her look earlier than the Senate Funds Committee. “There have been vicious assaults towards progressives, individuals who I’ve labored with — me personally.”
Sanders has not but indicated whether or not he’ll assist Tanden’s nomination. However he instructed CNN Friday that he will probably be talking together with her once more early subsequent week about her imaginative and prescient for OMB.
Through the hearings, Tanden pressured repeatedly that she regretted the tweets and her criticism of lawmakers wouldn’t have any bearing on how she leads OMB or steers main coverage and funding points that require bipartisan assist to clear each chambers.
“I really feel badly about that,” she stated of her harsh phrases. “My strategy will probably be radically completely different.”
Different Democrats have labeled GOP criticism of Tanden’s tweeting as hypocrisy, citing Republican silence about former President Donald Trump’s personal penchant for going after members of his personal social gathering
Tanden additionally confronted bipartisan scrutiny for the tens of millions of {dollars} in company donations her liberal suppose tank has accepted, which she pledged would have zero affect on her decision-making as OMB director.
“I’m very glad to see that Senator Manchin has determined to place individuals earlier than politics and be sure that somebody beholden to company pursuits and international governments doesn’t grow to be the subsequent OMB director,” stated Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), the rating Republican on the Home Funds Committee.
OMB is a crucial company for any president, charged with finishing up an administration’s fiscal and regulatory agenda, and its directorship is a Cupboard-level put up. For Biden, the company will probably be on the coronary heart of his administration’s response to the pandemic and the following financial disaster.
Manchin’s opposition incensed liberal advocates, who’ve praised Tanden’s broad information of coverage and familiarity with how authorities help may also help households.
“I’m appalled by Joe Manchin voting towards Neera Tanden for OMB, a dedicated progressive after he voted for Invoice Barr and others,” tweeted Ilyse Hogue, president of the abortion-rights group NARAL. “How about assessing her work, competence and imaginative and prescient as an alternative [of] the tone [of] her tweets? Cease sinking good ladies as a result of they’re outspoken.”
Manchin is likely one of the few swing votes left within the Senate with regards to nominees. Among the many Trump nominees he supported was the previous president’s decide for ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, who had a controversial and extremely partisan Twitter feed.
The president’s decide for deputy director at OMB is predicted to face a extra amicable affirmation course of than Tanden. Biden’s nominee for that No. 2 place, Shalanda Younger, was an aide on the Home Appropriations Committee for 14 years and most lately served as Democratic employees director of the panel, serving to dealer bipartisan support offers and authorities funding packages.
Manchin hinted at some dissatisfaction with the White Home final month after Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on TV in his house state to pitch the Biden administration’s Covid aid plan.
“I could not consider it,” Manchin instructed the identical native station that Harris gave her interview to. “Nobody known as me.”
Tyler Pager, Jennifer Scholtes and Andrew Desiderio contributed reporting.