House Democratic leaders back Shalanda Young for OMB after Tanden withdrawal

House Democratic leaders on Wednesday threw their support behind Shalanda Young to head the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a day after Neera Tanden withdrew her nomination.

Young is President Biden’s nominee to be deputy director of OMB. She has spent the past 14 years as a staffer on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, most recently in the top post of staff director.

“We have worked closely with [Young] for several years and highly recommend her for her intellect, her deep expertise on the federal budget and her determination to ensure that our budget reflects our values as a nation,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said in a joint statement.

“Her leadership at the OMB would be historic and would send a strong message that this Administration is eager to work in close coordination with Members of Congress to craft budgets that meet the challenges of our time and can secure broad, bipartisan support,” they wrote.

While House members are not directly involved in the Senate confirmation process for nominees, the show of support from the top three Democrats in the House will likely boost Young’s prospects for the position. If confirmed, Young would be the first woman of color atop OMB.

Later in the day, House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) threw her support behind Young as well, saying she “unreservedly” recommended her.

“Ms. Young is a legislative expert and a master of the federal budget process. She has deep knowledge of the whole of the federal government and an ability to work with anyone to accomplish big, important things for our country,” she said.

Gene Sperling, former director of the National Economic Council during the Obama administration, has also been floated for OMB director. 

Tanden withdrew her own nomination Tuesday evening as her path toward confirmation became increasingly dire. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said he would not support her nomination due to her history of harsh, partisan tweets against Republicans and progressive Democrats as head of the Center for American Progress. Tanden repeatedly apologized for the tweets in two confirmation hearings.

During Young’s confirmation hearing on Tuesday for the deputy director post, some GOP members of the Senate Budget Committee noted that she could end up in the top spot, and would have broad bipartisan support should Biden nominate her.

Updated at 2:10 p.m.

“You’ll get my support, maybe for both jobs,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said during the hearing.

Young is scheduled for an additional confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Thursday.