The Senate has confirmed President Joe Biden's nominee for Office of Personnel Management director, Kiran Ahuja, who's been grilled for supporting critical race theory. Vice President Kamala Harris broke the tie, ending in the 51-50 vote.
Invoked, 51-50, with @VP voting in the affirmative: Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #107 Kiran Arjandas Ahuja to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management for a term of four years.
— Senate Cloakroom (@SenateCloakroom) June 22, 2021
Harris cast the tiebreaking vote to confirm Biden's pick to run the Office of Personnel Management, overcoming GOP objections to Ahuja's nomination. Republicans have cited Ahuja's ties to critical race theory through nonprofit organization Philanthropy Northwest. Ahuja hosted critical race theory teachings and anti-racism activist Ibram X. Kendi for an event with Philanthropy Northwest.
"Kiran Ahuja is a qualified, experienced and dedicated public servant who we are looking forward to leading the Office of Personnel Management in its work protecting the safety of the work force, empowering federal employees, and building a federal work force that looks like America," White House spokesman Chris Meager said via press statement.
Before the vote, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) denounced Ahuja, slamming the pick's outright support of critical race theory. "I'm concerned that as the federal government’s H.R. director, Ms. Ahuja could use her platform to promote radical ideologies that seek to divide rather than unite the American people," Hawley voiced ahead of Ahuja's confirmation. "She could bring critical race theory back into federal government training," he reiterated.
"I'm a big believer that—and I'm sure this is a value we all hold—that we seek to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity in this country," said Ahuja. "I think, you know, I understand and appreciate also the historical challenges that many individuals have experienced based on their race or ethnicity, and I think it's important that we have that understanding in addressing problems in inequities."
In an address following the Senate hearing, Hawley stated that he was "concerned that Ms. Ahuja is a disciple of radical critical theorists." The Republican senator noted that just last year, Ahuja wrote that "we must free the nation from the daily trials of white supremacy." He noted that all of his Republican colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee voted against confirming Ahuja back in April.
Hawley urged that "we need a strong nation with strong citizens who see each other as Americans not as oppressors or oppressed."
Ahuja is an Indian-born immigrant who was raised in Savannah, Georgia, worked in the Department of Justice, and served as the executive director of President Barack Obama's Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
She will now return to the personnel agency where she served as chief of staff during the final two years of the Obama administration.
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