What they're saying: "I have accepted Neera Tanden’s request to withdraw her name from nomination for Director of the Office of Management and Budget," Biden said in a statement.
- "I have the utmost respect for her record of accomplishment, her experience and her counsel," he added.
Tanden, in a letter to Biden, said "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."
Context: The Senate Homeland Security Committee last week postponed a confirmation hearing with Tanden because members were asking for "more time to consider the nominee."
- Senators from both parties criticized her combative tweets against Republican members of Congress, noting they undercut Biden's campaign promise to seek unity and bipartisanship.
- In February, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) said he would not vote to confirm her, and three Republicans who could potentially replace Manchin's vote — Susan Collins (R-Maine), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) — also said they would vote no.
Of note: Biden said he looks "forward to having [Tanden] serve in a role in my Administration. She will bring valuable perspective and insight to our work."
