It is the first setback, and perhaps not the last, for Biden in the nomination process through the Senate, which is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.
"I have accepted Neera Tanden’s request to withdraw her name from nomination for Director of the Office of Management and Budget," said Biden in a statement.
"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."
Following is the letter from Tanden to President Biden withdrawing her nomination:
Dear President Biden,
I am writing to you to withdraw my nomination for Director of the Office of Management and Budget. It has been an honor of a lifetime to be considered for this role and for the faith placed in me.
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.
I am incredibly grateful for your leadership on behalf of the American people and for your agenda that will make such a transformative difference in people’s lives.
When Biden first nominated Tanden, head of the Center for American Progress and a strong supporter of HIllary Clinton, as his choice to head the OMB, Capitol observers and insiders speculated that she would have a rough time getting Senate approval, largely because she has been outspoken in her social media criticism of some of the Senators from both major parties.
Two weeks ago, when West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin announced that he would not support Tanden's nomination, it appeared that Tanden's cause was all but dead. One Democratic switch could tilt the Senate to the Republicans, who were in no mood to approve someone whose harsh criticism hurt their tender egos.
Some pundits even called her the "sacrificial lamb" so that the Republicans can withhold approval and show that the GOP Senators can still wield their influence in the evenly split Upper House. Hopefully, if the GOP can block Tanden, it was speculated, they would go easy on Biden's other nominees.
Despite the setback, the White House fought hard for Tanden, rallying its forces and talking to the independent-minded Republicans who might support the Indian American nominee.
A meeting between Tanden with Alaska's Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski Monday, failed to get an endorsement, apparently. After their meeting, Murkowski withheld any comment, usually a bad sign. If she was inclined to vote for Tanden, she would have announced her decision right away.
"It is a tragedy that her nomination has been withdrawn, leaving just one AAPI in the cabinet. I believe that Neera deserved to be confirmed on the merits of her work and the President’s faith in her," said Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Chu led a lobbying effort to get an AAPI nominated to the Cabinet at the Secretary level. Although OMB director is not at the level as a Secretary, she was one of only two AAPI in Biden's Cabinet.
“As President Biden considers nominees to replace her and to fill the rest of the Executive Branch, I hope that he continues to elevate qualified AAPI leaders like Neera Tanden who will help increase the diversity of experience and thought in the government, and ensure our government looks more like our country.”
Republicans, flush with the excitement of their first victory over the Democratic President, may not be satisfied with rejecting Tanden.
A campaign by conservatives has already started against Vanita Gupta, another Indian American woman, who Biden picked to be the Associate Attorney General.
Gupta, who served in President Obama's DOJ as head of the Civil Rights Decision, is being targeted by Judicial Crisis Network, Heritage Action for America, and Americans for Public Trust, says Politico. The three groups have raised $800,000 to run ads against Gupta. who will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee March 9.
However, current and former police chiefs in more than 53 cities across the country, as well as the National Fraternal Order of Police, are issuing their support for Gupta, praising her leadership and record and urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to "quickly confirm her" to the post.
“I have worked with Ms. Gupta in my position as sheriff in the past and know her to be no stranger to law enforcement issues, says David Mahoney, Dane County, WI sheriff and president, National Sheriffs’ Association. "She believes in the truth and like I believes that our nation’s law enforcement officers and leaders must be partners in embracing reforms within our profession and in doing so build a healthy relationship with the Department of Justice.”
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