Biden’s Confirmation Calculus

“Opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) imperils the nomination of Neera Tanden as President Biden’s budget director but could help two other nominees,” Axios reports.

“Xavier Becerra for HHS and Deb Haaland for Interior have better chances if the confirmation gods get their sacrifice elsewhere.”

“The HHS and Interior hearings, scheduled for next week, will be proxy battles for two of the biggest ideological fights of the Biden presidency — adding a public option to Obamacare, and curtailing oil and gas extraction on federal lands.”