Senate delays hearing for controversial Biden OMB pick Neera Tanden

Neera Tanden, a former Democratic Party staffer and president of the Center for American Progress, had her nomination hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee postponed after she received opposition from both Republicans and some Democrats.

In the Senate, which is split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, a single Democratic Party defection on a given vote could jeopardize a presidential appointment. With Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announcing that he will not support the nomination, and no Republicans showing interest in confirming her, it is unlikely that Tanden will receive the support necessary to be nominated.

Moderate Republicans such as Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), expressed opposition to Tanden's nomination as well.

The White House has nevertheless continued to stand behind Tanden.

"Neera Tanden is a leading policy expert who brings critical qualifications to the table during this time of unprecedented crisis?," tweeted White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

Over the years, Tanden has made a number of inflammatory remarks about various lawmakers both Republican and Democratic, especially over Twitter. Since November, she has deleted over 1,000 tweets as it became apparent that her nomination may rest on the support of lawmakers she had once blasted.

Other examples of Tanden's behaviour over the years has arisen controversy during her nomination. Following the 2016 presidential election, Tanden spread conspiracy theories about the election being stolen from the Democrats. She has previously suggested that the United States should forcefully take oil from Libya as a payment following the US-supported overthrow of their former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, and has openly named alleged sexual assault victims within her own organization.