POTUS Names Two Women to Head White House Budget Office

President Joe Biden has named his choices to run the White House budget office on Wednesday, tapping two women of color to lead the massive government operations agency. If confirmed, they would make history as the first women of color to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The President chose Shalanda Young, who has already been serving as OMB’s acting director, to serve as its director. President Biden also tapped Nani Coloretti, the former Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, as deputy director, the White House said.

The OMB oversees the $4 trillion federal budget and helps coordinate operations and regulations across the government. It also tracks federal workers’ compliance with COVID-19 vaccination rules, among other duties. Young, a former House of Representatives staffer, would be the first Black woman to serve in the top role after securing the deputy job in March. Coloretti, who is of Filipino descent, would be one of the highest-ranking Asian Americans in the Biden administration. In a video statement, the President cited the historic nominations, in what he called “the most diverse presidential cabinet in history” and noted both had previously won Senate confirmation for other posts.

Today, it is my honor to nominate two extraordinary, history-making women to lead the Office of Management and Budget — Shalanda Young as Director and Nani Coloretti as Deputy Director. pic.twitter.com/xgOryCWoCS

— President Biden (@POTUS) November 24, 2021

“I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm them again so they can lead OMB at this important time,” the President said. Young “will also play a key role in implementing his Build Back Better agenda,” a source separately told Reuters.

Walk and Talk with Shalanda Young, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, as she discusses her career in civil service, Black Women's Equal Pay Day, and the work she's doing with the Biden-Harris Administration. pic.twitter.com/0Vnzu3IuQw

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 3, 2021

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Both positions must be confirmed by the Senate, which Biden’s fellow Democrats narrowly control. House Democrats have pushed for Young to get the top job after Biden’s initial choice, Neera Tanden, withdrew from consideration in March.

APAICS congratulates Filipino American Nani Coloretti on her nomination to be White House OMB Deputy Director! #RepresentationMatters #AAPI pic.twitter.com/m3B728D77k

— APAICS (@APAICS) November 24, 2021

“Young has proven to be a master of the appropriations process,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, adding “she has worked to ensure that our federal budget reflects our values as a nation.”