WASHINGTON – Today, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) commended the Senate’s confirmation of three key positions: Brian Deese to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); Dan Tangherlini to be Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA); and Howard Shelanski to be Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget. Chairman Carper released the following statements after the Senate confirmed the nominations by unanimous consent (Deese, Tangherlini) and by voice vote (Shelanski):
Brian Deese to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB):
“Having strong leadership at the Office of Management and Budget is important at any time, but it is particularly important at this moment, when our nation is so desperately in need of a long-term budget plan to rein in our federal deficit and debt,” said Chairman Carper. “Brian Deese has earned a well-justified reputation as someone who can tackle the tough public policy matters facing our nation. On issues ranging from the auto bailout to housing issues to tax policy, Mr. Deese has helped our country recover from the recession that hit our economy before President Obama took office. He has a passion for public service and for finding ways for our government to make smart choices so that individuals and businesses can flourish. He is also someone who understands that our fiscal policies are intrinsically linked to the prosperity of the American people. I am confident that he will continue to be an asset to the Administration and our nation as part of the senior leadership team of this critical agency. I look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Dan Tangherlini to be Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA):
“As the Acting Administrator, Mr. Tangherlini has proven that he knows what needs to be done in order to head an agency as important as the General Services Administration,” said Chairman Carper. “Over the past year, Mr. Tangherlini has led an impressive turnaround of GSA, and I am confident that he will continue this good work as Administrator. I thank my colleagues for quickly approving his nomination. I look forward to working with Mr. Tangherlini as he continues to help the General Service Administration make our federal government perform better and at less cost to the taxpayer.”
Howard Shelanski to be Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget:
“The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget has the important task of reviewing regulations that agencies draft to help implement the laws that Congress enacts,” said Chairman Carper. “The decisions of this important office can be felt throughout our government, our economy, and Americans’ daily lives. I believe that the President made an excellent choice in selecting Howard Shelanski to lead OIRA. He has the training and experience necessary to take on these important challenges and his leadership will prove to be an asset to the agency. I commend my colleagues for quickly confirming his nomination and I look forward to working with him in his new position.”