Friday, February 5, 2021
The confirmations of Cabinet secretaries and federal agency directors by the U.S. Senate are critical and early milestones in any new President’s administration. Permanent department leadership allows the executive branch to more aggressively pursue the President’s policy agenda and vision, to establish routine processes that facilitate the work of the federal government, and to signal continuity to stakeholder communities. The Senate’s delay in reaching a power sharing agreement has acutely impacted a number of committees charged with processing and advancing nominees to lead key federal departments and agencies. These nominees include Xavier Becerra for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and Neera Tanden for Director of the Office of Management and Budget.