Who is Neera Tanden? All you need to know about Indian American likely to be Joe Biden's Budget chief

Indian-American Neera Tanden is likely to be named as Joe Biden’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget and will be responsible for managing the administration’s budget. Several US media publications are backing Neera to take the top job. The 50-year-old, who is currently the chief executive of the left-leaning Center for American Progress, would be the first woman of colour to head the Office of Management and Budget. 

Tanden's nomination is a part of Biden plan to build a team of liberal and centrist economic advisers to serve alongside planned Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Nomination of Tanden, Yellen and others are expected to be announced soon, multiple news reports said. 

According to The Washington Post, Tanden will be under pressure from conservatives to rein in government spending but will probably play an instrumental role in crafting the Biden administration's response to the current economic downturn.  

She was a close ally of Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, and helped pass the Affordable Care Act under Obama, it said.  

"Another proud day for Indian Americans to see Neera Tanden be nominated for a Cabinet level position in the next administration. This position at OMB is a wide ranging role with broad powers to manage trillions of dollars of the US budget. If anyone had any doubts that our community has arrived politically, this election cycle is proof enough," M R Rangaswami, founder of nonprofit organisation Indiaspora was quoted saying by IANS. 

Another first for a woman of colour in Biden’s team may be Cecilia Rouse, a Princeton University labor economist. She is likely to be appointed as the chairwoman of Council of Economic Advisers. The African-American woman will play a key role in advising the president on the economy, which has been ailing since the coronavirus pandemic struck the country, throwing tens of millions out of work.