President-elect Joe Biden unveiled his economics team on Monday as the new administration prepares to navigate a recession resulting from the coronavirus pandemic at a time when Republicans in Congress have become more reluctant to fuel record spending deficit.
The key figure is Janet Yellen, Biden’s choice to become Treasury Secretary after leading the Federal Reserve. Other appointees include Neera Tanden, executive director of the progressive think tank Center for American Progress, as head of the Office of Management and Budget, and Cecilia Rouse, dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, to lead the Council of Economic Advisers. .
But while Yellen is credited with being one of the most seasoned people ever considered for her post, Tanden might struggle to earn confirmation in the Republican-controlled Senate due to her political history and fiery Twitter posts.
Drew Brandewie, a spokesperson for Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, tweeted on Sunday that Tanden has “no chance of being confirmed” because of derogatory tweets against Republicans.
Biden is expected to present the team on Tuesday in Wilmington, Delaware, at 12:30 p.m. EST.
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The economics team’s unveiling comes as Biden urges the lame Congress to approve more spending to deal with the pandemic before he takes office on January 20. seen as a $ 500 billion proposal – and remain uncertain.
“This team looks like America and brings serious purpose, the highest level of competence and an unwavering faith in America’s promise,” Biden said in a statement. “They will be ready from day one to get to work for all Americans.”
His choices, some of which require confirmation from the Senate, include:
• Yellen would be the first woman to head the Treasury Department. She was previously the first woman to head the Federal Reserve and served as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers.
• Wally Adeyemo would become the first black person to hold the post of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. He previously served as Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, Deputy National Security Advisor, and Chief of Staff of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• Tanden would be the first woman and the first person of Southeast Asian origin to head the Office of Management and Budget, which not only maps the president’s spending plan, but also serves as a key gatekeeper by reviewing regulations. governments for their financial impact.
Tanden was a senior adviser in the administration to former President Bill Clinton and Tanden worked for Senator Hillary Clinton, DN.Y., before serving as political director for his 2008 presidential campaign. Tanden was also director of domestic policy for the campaign of former President Barack Obama.
• Rouse, a labor economist at Princeton, would become the first black woman to head the Council of Economic Advisers after previously serving on the panel during the Obama administration.
• Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey as members of the Council of Economic Advisers. Bernstein had been Biden’s chief economist when he was vice president. Boushey focused on economic inequality as president, CEO and co-founder of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.
