Biden's pick for top budget job in jeopardy
SOT - NEERA TANDEN AT HER SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING
"I deeply regret and apologize for some of my past language. I recognize that this role is a bi-partisan role and I know I have to earn the trust of senators across the board."
That apology from Neera Tanden, President Biden's pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget, might not be enough to get her confirmation through the Senate.
Two Senate committees on Wednesday postponed meetings where her nomination was to be discussed, suggesting she doesn't have enough votes to clear the Senate.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki defended the nomination at Wednesday’s press briefing, telling reporters Tanden still has Biden’s full backing.
"We are working in close touch with Neera Tanden and with members of Congress on continuing to do the outreach and engagement to fight for her confirmation. That's where our focus is."
REPORTER OFF-CAMERA: "But yes or no whether she's offered to withdraw?"
PSAKI: "That's not the stage we're in, Caitlin. We're the stage we're in is working to continue to fight for her nomination."
Tanden was considered a high-risk candidate from the start due to her prolific habit of bashing Republicans on Twitter while running a liberal D.C. think tank...
Something that repeatedly came up during her confirmation hearings earlier this month.
SENATOR PORTMAN: "Are these media reports that you deleted more than 1000 tweets in November in advance of your nomination accurate, and if so why did you delete them?"
TANDEN: "I deleted tweets because I regretted my tone, and I've deleted tweets over many months. For those concerned about my rhetoric and my language, I am sorry and I am sorry for any hurt that they have caused."
Her confirmation seemed to hit a road block this week after two moderate Republicans - Susan Collins and Mitt Romney - joined moderate Democrat Joe Manchin in opposing her for the job overseeing the $4 trillion federal budget.
The confirmation fight underscored the influence moderates will have as Biden works with the narrowly divided Congress.
If Tanden’s nomination is blocked she will be the first high-profile Biden nominee to be rejected.
