Business & Economy

On The Money: Tanden withdraws nomination as Biden budget chief | Relief bill tests narrow Democratic majority | Senate confirms Biden’s picks for Commerce, top WH economist

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BREAKING NEWS—Tanden withdraws nomination as Biden budget chief: Neera Tanden has withdrawn her nomination to head President Biden’s White House budget office after her prospects of Senate confirmation flamed out.

The White House made the announcement on Tuesday evening, sharing a statement from Biden and a withdrawal letter Tanden sent to the president. 

“I have accepted Neera Tanden’s request to withdraw her name from nomination for Director of the Office of Management and Budget,” Biden said. “I have the utmost respect for her record of accomplishment, her experience and her counsel, and I look forward to having her serve in a role in my Administration. She will bring valuable perspective and insight to our work.”

Tanden told Biden, “I appreciate how hard you and your team at the White House has worked to win my confirmation. Unfortunately, it now seems clear that there is no path forward to gain confirmation, and I do not want continued consideration of my nomination to be a distraction from your other priorities.”

The background: Tanden’s nomination has been all but officially doomed for at least a week.

The Hill’s Niv Elis has all the details here.

 

LEADING THE DAY—Biden relief bill tests narrow Democratic majority: Senate Democrats are facing an early stress test of their fragile majority as they try to pass a massive coronavirus bill this week.

President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) need the support of every member in the caucus to get the bill through the 50-50 chamber and to beat back what is expected to be an hours-long marathon of GOP efforts to chip away at the bill.

Biden urged Democrats during a call Tuesday to remain unified, stressing the popularity of the sweeping $1.9 trillion coronavirus package among voters.

“President Biden made his pitch today to our entire caucus. And he said we need to pass this bill and pass it soon,” Schumer said after the call.

How soon is soon?

The tight 50-vote margin empowers any one member of the Senate Democratic caucus to demand changes as well. The Hill’s Jordain Carney tells us what to expect here.

What’s on the table:.

 

Biden picks for financial agencies offer preview of regulatory agenda: President Biden’s picks to lead two major financial industry regulators shed light Tuesday on their plans for expanding consumer and investor safeguards while holding financial firms to higher standards.

During their confirmation hearing, Biden’s nominees to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) vowed to be vigilant in a rapidly changing — and in some cases, perilous — financial landscape.

I’ll take you to the hearing here.

 

ON TAP TOMORROW: The Center for Global Development hosts an event entitled “Political Economy of Tax Reforms in Developing Countries” at 10 a.m.

 

GOOD TO KNOW

 

ODDS AND ENDS