Business & Economy

On The Money: What’s next for Neera Tanden’s nomination

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THE BIG DEAL—BREAKING: Manchin to oppose Biden’s budget director pick Neera Tanden: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Friday that he would oppose Neera Tanden’s nomination to head the White House budget office, potentially sinking her Senate confirmation.

Manchin cited Tanden’s harsh tweets about Republicans as the reason for his opposition.

“I believe her overtly partisan statements will have a toxic and detrimental impact on the important working relationship between members of Congress and the next director of the Office of Management and Budget,” Manchin said in a statement. “For this reason, I cannot support her nomination.”

The Hill’s Niv Elis updates us here.

Why this could end her nomination: 

How she got here: Tanden has repeatedly apologized for her past tweets, some of which compared Republicans to evil fictional characters. 

What’s next for Tanden: She’s going to need at least one Republican to come to her rescue if Manchin is the only Democratic defection, but it’s not clear that he will be. Sanders has not said if he’s voting for Tanden, and another moderate could still come out against her.

Either way, the White House isn’t backing down from her nomination.

“Neera Tanden is an accomplished policy expert who would be an excellent Budget Director and we look forward to the committee votes next week and to continuing to work toward her confirmation through engagement with both parties,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki in a statement.

Projecting confidence: President Biden also predicted “we are going to find the votes and get her confirmed,” speaking to reporters on Friday evening.


LEADING THE DAY

17 state attorneys general call for canceling $50K in student loan debt: A coalition of 17 state attorneys general is calling for the cancellation of up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt for all borrowers.

The Democratic attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, sent a letter to congressional leaders on Friday supporting resolutions that call on President Biden to use executive action to forgive outstanding student loans.

“The existing repayment system for Federal student loans provides insufficient opportunity for struggling borrowers to manage their debts or recover from the current economic crisis,” the attorneys general wrote. “Broad cancellation of Federal student loan debt will provide immediate relief to millions who are struggling during this pandemic and recession, and give a much-needed boost to families and our economy.”

The Hill’s Jordan Williams has more here.

The background: Progressive Democrats have been trying to ramp up pressure on Biden to wipe out $50,000 per borrower since he unequivocally ruled out doing so during a CNN town hall this week.

 

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