Obama To Nominate Wal-Mart Charity Head As Budget Chief
If confirmed by the Senate, Burwell would head the Office of Management and Budget during a time when the White House and congressional Republicans can't seem to agree on how to handle the nation's budget situation.
“Burwell has a proven record as a thoughtful problem solver who builds consensus to get things done,” said a White House official. She has a “deep knowledge of budget and economic issues along with her record of fighting for working Americans make her the perfect choice to lead the OMB at this important time.”
Burwell, who would replace acting director Jeffrey Zients, has served as OMB's deputy director during the Clinton administration and currently runs Wal-Mart's philanthropic wing, the Wal-Mart Foundation.
The nomination of Burwell may signify that the White House is trying not to allow the $85 billion in automatic spending cuts that went into effect on Friday derail Obama's second-term agenda. In addition to rewriting the nation's gun laws and bringing immigration reform, the president is also looking to fill out positions at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Commerce and Energy Departments and the U.S. trade representative.
Read the full story at the Associated Press.