Sanders Will Not Vote To Confirm OMB Nominee

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a liberal lawmaker who caucuses with the Democrats, has released a statement saying he will not support the nomination of Jacob ‘Jack’ Lew to become President Obama’s next OMB Director.

“Jack Lew was kind enough to meet with me last week in my office and to answer my questions at a Senate Budget Committee hearing. Frankly, I found too many echoes of the failed policies of the past in his responses to my questions on trade policy, Social Security, deregulation of banks and other issues.,” Sanders said.

“Reluctantly, I will not vote to confirm Mr. Lew to be director of the Office of Management and Budget,” he added.

Senator Carper Believes In Lew As OMB Director

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after he voted to confirm Jacob “Jack” Lew for the role of Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 

 

“As our national deficit continues to grow, it is up to the Administration and Congress to work together to regain control of our budget and put this country’s fiscal house in order,” he said. “We need a strong leader to work with the President and Congress to do just that. I am confident that Jack Lew can - and will - effectively fill that role. There is no silver bullet to solving our nation’s financial woes, but I trust that Mr. Lew can outline initiatives and guide policies that can continue to chip away at the monstrous debt our nation has incurred and lay the groundwork for long-term, money-saving programs and practices. I will work with my colleagues in the full Senate to see to his swift and fair confirmation.”

Collins To OMB Nominee: Good Luck

Jacob ‘Jack’ Lew, the president’s nominee to succeed Peter Orszag as head of the Office of Management and Budget at the White House, will testify before a Senate committee later today, and is expected to be peppered with questions about the nation’s deficit and potential tax increases.

In her prepared remarks, Susan Collins (R-Maine), the top Republican on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, will warn Lew that he must prepare for a “perfect storm” of economic uncertainty.

“Rising entitlement costs soon will collide head-on with the cresting waves of aging Baby Boomers set to leave their jobs. The result will put even more pressure on already strained Social Security and Medicare expenditures,” Collins will say.

Collins, who supports extending tax cuts for all Americans, will also tell Lew he needs to keep a close watch on the nation’s soaring level of debt.

“Mr. Lew will need to develop a realistic plan that prevents the federal budget from becoming a mammoth anchor, dragging down growth in jobs and personal income.”

Zients Will Be Acting OMB Chief

Jeffrey Zients, currently deputy director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), will be acting director for a few weeks while the nominee for the position, Jack Lew awaits confirmation.  The position was formerly held by Peter Orszag, whose last day as Director is today…

- Philip Bunnell