Biden is also expected to nominate two women of color to key economic positions: Cecilia Rouse, who is African American, a Princeton labor economist, to chair the Council of Economic Advisers, and Neera Tanden, head of the Center for American Progress, as director of the Office of Management and Budget. Tanden would be the first woman of color and the first South Asian woman in the role. But many progressives object to her playing a role in the incoming administration, citing her organization’s cozy relationship with corporate funders, her record of antagonizing and undermining progressive Democrats and her hawkish foreign policy positions.
Meanwhile, two alums from the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, will hold key economic positions. Brian Deese, a current executive at the investment giant, will be Biden’s pick for the National Economic Council. And Wally Adeyemo, senior international economic adviser under Obama, will act as Janet Yellen’s top deputy at the Treasury Department. Climate activists have condemned the picks due to BlackRock’s funding of fossil fuel companies, among other issues.
Joe Biden is currently recovering from fracturing his foot while playing with his dog.