WASHINGTON – Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said on Friday that he would oppose Neera Tanden to lead the Office of Administration and Budget, jeopardizing the possibility of a high-profile nominee for President Joe Biden.
“I have carefully reviewed Neera Tanden’s public statements and tweets that have been personally addressed to my colleagues on both sides of the corridor, from Senator Sanders to Senator McConnell and others,” said Manchin in a statement.
“I believe that his openly partisan statements will have a toxic and damaging impact on the important working relationship between members of Congress and the next director of the Office of Management and Budget,” he said. For this reason, I cannot support your appointment. “
If confirmed, Tanden would be the first non-white woman to head the federal budget.
His statement is a major blow to her prospects for a split in the Senate between 50 Democratic and 50 Republican members.
Without Manchin’s vote, she will need some support from the Republican Party to secure the majority needed for confirmation, which is uncertain due to her social media record of harsh criticism of prominent conservatives. She said during her confirmation hearings that she regrets her previous tweets.
“As I said before, we must take significant steps to end the political divide and dysfunction that permeates our policy. In a time of serious crisis, it is more important than ever that we outline a new bipartisan course that helps to solve the many serious problems challenges that our nation faces, “said Manchin.
The Senate has confirmed several Biden nominees and has not rejected any yet.
