Indian-American Neera Tanden Named in Joe Biden’s Top Economic Team

Indian-American Neera Tanden is supposed to be named as Joe Biden’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget and will be accountable for managing the administration’s budget. Several US media statements are supporting Neera to take the top job.

Indian-American Neera Tanden is assumed to be named as Joe Biden’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget and will be responsible for managing the administration’s budget. Several US media statements are supporting Neera to take the top job. The 50-year-old, who is currently the chief executive of the left-leaning Center for American Progress, would be the first woman of color to head the Office of Management and Budget. 

Tanden's appointment is a part of Biden's plan to build a team of progressive and centrist economic experts to serve adjacent planned Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen, The Wall Street Journal announced on Sunday. The nomination of Tanden, Yellen, and others are assumed to be announced soon, multiple news reports said. 

According to The Washington Post, Tanden will be under pressure from conservatives to rein in administration spending but will apparently play a powerful role in crafting the Biden administration's response to the current economic downturn.  

She was a compressed co-worker of Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and the 2016 Democratic official candidate, and helped pass the Affordable Care Act under Obama, it said.  

"Another proud day for Indian Americans to see Neera Tanden be nominated for a Cabinet-level appointment in the next government. This position at OMB is a wide-ranging role with wide powers to manage trillions of dollars of the US budget. If anyone had any difficulties that our community has arrived politically, this election cycle is proof enough," M R Rangaswami, founder of nonprofit organization Indiaspora was quoted saying by IANS. 

Also first for a woman of color in Biden’s team may be Cecilia Rouse, a Princeton University project economist. She is likely to be elected as the chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisers. The African-American woman will play a key role in advising the president on the economy, which has been ailing since the coronavirus pandemic struck the country, launching tens of millions out of work.