Joe Biden To Introduce His Economic Picks, Including Three Women In Top Roles
President-elect Joe Biden is slated to formally name top members of his economic team on Nov. 30. According to people familiar with his plans, the Democrat plans to nominate a team graced by liberal and centrist economic advisers who will be serving alongside planned Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen.
Biden is expected to name Janet Yellen as his secretary of the Treasury, two sources familiar with the pick told CNN. In addition to picking the former chair of the Federal Reserve for a top role, Biden is expected to name two other women in equally influential roles on a diverse team to help him navigate America's problematic fiscal headwinds in a bid to build an economic recovery.
Moreover, his first senior White House communications team will also include former Obama administration adviser Neera Tanden, named the director of the White House budget office, according to India Today. Princeton economist Cecilia Rouse is expected to be named as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers.
Biden's pick of Rouse would place another Black woman, who served on the council during Obama's presidency, in the influential role of his top advisers. The barrier-breaking nominees also include the Obama Foundation president in Chicago, Adewale "Wally" Adeyemo, for deputy Treasury Secretary. She will be serving under Yellen.
Named as the first president of the Obama Foundation in 2019, Adeyemo has served on the National Economic Council of the Obama administration. Biden's plan to name his economic picks was originally reported by The Wall Street Journal first.
On Monday, the announcement will be made in a statement, according to officials. The team will be formally introduced by the president-elect in an event at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday.
The economic team is one of the new administration's most critical pieces, whose triumph or failure will determine the course of the incoming administration. The officials said Biden is also poised to name the National Economic Council leader, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, United States Trade Representative, and a slew of other posts.
It remains to be seen whether or not Biden will name his Commerce Secretary nominee this week. The officials suggest that the timing of other top economic positions is likely to be shifted, citing last-minute adjustments and the final decision.
Former top economic adviser in the Obama-Biden administration Brian Deese is one of the leading contenders to spearhead the National Economic Council. Deese served as the OMB and the NEC deputy director and is currently a top official at BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager.