Associates close to Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) tell Axios that they are convinced that she will vote against Neera Tanden to be the director of the Office of Administration and Budget, eliminating a possible escape valve to save the appointment.
Why does it matter: Tanden’s steep rise is emblematic of the challenges faced by some of President Biden’s remaining high-profile nominees. The Interior Department chose Deb Haaland, deputy secretary of health and human services Xavier Becerra and representative of Attorney General Merrick Garland, risking different results.
Surprise announcement by Senator Joe Manchin last week, that he opposed Tanden effectively put the White House on the alert that any number of its nominees could implode in the 50-50 Senate.
- Democrats are particularly concerned that Manchin (DW.Va.) has not finished trying to exercise veto power and may announce his opposition to some of Biden’s environmental nominees.
- Potential targets include Michael Regan, appointed to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, and Elizabeth Klein, appointed as deputy secretary of the interior.
- Manchin sued EPA in 2010 while serving as governor of West Virginia.
Your defection by Tanden it was also a reminder to the White House that there is no room for error in impending legislative battles, from potential tax increases to climate policy.
- A “no” vote by Collins does not seal Tanden’s fate, but makes it less likely to be confirmed. The White House is redoubling its efforts to convince Republicans to support it.
- Collins did not publicly indicate how she would vote, saying last November: “I heard that she is a very prolific Twitter user.” A Collins spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- Tanden, who once called Collins “the worst” on Twitter, apologized for his tweets and met 35 Democratic and Republican senators.
The intrigue: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Whose Budget Committee is expected to vote for Tanden this week, has been shy if he supports it. “I will be talking to Mrs. Tanden early next week,” he said on Friday on CNN.
- And if Republicans like Sens. Mitt Romney from Utah or Lisa Murkowski from Alaska decide to vote for Tanden, Sanders can still announce his opposition.
- Some Republicans from outside, like former OMB director and Indiana governor Mitch Daniels, are trying to convince their party to turn the page in terrible confirmation battles.
- “Confirming Neera Tanden would be a small, free step to revive the courtesy and civility we have lost,” wrote Daniels in the Washington Post.
What are they saying: With Tanden in danger, Democrats are more confident Becerra, California’s attorney general, and Haaland, a member of the New Mexico House, will be confirmed.
- There were questions about Becerra’s knowledge of health care and criticisms of Haaland used Democratic talking points when discussing Interior policies.
- “In my conversations with Senate Democrats, what I am hearing is a huge sense of relief because, at Attorney General Becerra, we will have a qualified and experienced leader,” said Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.). “I am also excited, like many of us, about Rep. Haaland’s historic appointment as Secretary of the Interior.”
- Garland is considered an easy task to head the Department of Justice.
Be smart: From the beginning, Biden officials have orchestrated advocacy campaigns for their nominees, working with outside groups and supportive senators to get support.
- Tanden and the Center for American Progress, which she leads, advocate expanding tax credit for children – an idea that Romney and Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) also support.