Shalanda Young Confirmed as OMB Director

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday voted 61-36 to confirm Shalanda Young as director of the Office of Management and Budget, making her the first Black woman in history to head the office and the fifth Black woman to be named to President Biden’s Cabinet. 

Young’s confirmation comes almost a year after she was first named acting director of the agency that basically manages the federal government’s budget.

She was elevated to acting director after Neera Tandem, a former political strategist and former president of the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, withdrew her nomination when it became clear she lacked the votes to get Senate confirmation.

That was because a number of lawmakers, including Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., objected to partisan comments Tanden had previously made on social media.

She was later named the next White House staff secretary.

Young is a Capitol Hill veteran, having served a number of years on the House Appropriations Committee, including as Democratic staff director, clerk, deputy staff director and other roles. 

In separate statements, two of Young’s key supporters applauded her confirmation.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called it both “history-making and a victory for the people.”

“After nearly 15 years working for the House Appropriations Committee and nearly a year as acting director of OMB, Shalanda brings to this essential post a masterful command of the appropriations process, deep legislative expertise and an unyielding commitment to America’s families,” Pelosi said. “Widely respected on both sides of the aisle, she will be an invaluable strategic asset to Democrats and the nation as the Congress continues to work with the administration to advance our security and economic interests, as well as build a budget that reflects our values as a nation.”

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said not only is Young “eminently qualified to lead the OMB and as knowledgeable as anyone about the congressional appropriations process, Shalanda also maintains strong and positive relationships on both sides of the aisle.” 

“She deserves great credit for helping to lead the successful effort to enact the fiscal year 2022 omnibus this week, a major step forward for our country,” Hoyer continued.

“It’s no surprise that Democrats and Republicans alike were calling for her nomination and swift confirmation. I enjoyed working closely with her when she served as staff director for the House Appropriations Committee, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with her in the months and years ahead as she works with the president to ensure that Congress and the administration are partnering to deliver for the people,” he concluded.

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