[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 23, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S1690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Shalanda D. Young

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise in support of Shalanda Young's 
nomination to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget.
  Ms. Young is a proven leader, a dedicated public servant with the 
experience and the expertise needed to tackle the challenges facing OMB 
and our Nation.
  Not only does Ms. Young bring a deep knowledge of the budget process 
and government operations, but she has a long track record of working 
successfully across the aisle.
  During her 14 years as a senior staff member on the House 
Appropriations Committee, she worked tirelessly to find a bipartisan 
path forward on many critical issues.
  She played a key role in ending past government shutdowns and in 
negotiating last year's bipartisan coronavirus relief legislation.
  Since President Biden announced Ms. Young's nomination, Members and 
staff, both Democrats and Republicans, have enthusiastically praised 
her ability to work with both sides and get results for the American 
people. This is exactly the type of leadership OMB needs to 
successfully steer the country through the current public health and 
economic crisis.
  The passage of the American Rescue Plan earlier this week was a 
historic achievement. But much of the work to fully implement this 
landmark bill still lies ahead, from getting money into the pockets of 
workers and families to ensuring schools open swiftly and safely and 
making meaningful investments in small businesses and local 
governments.
  I have no doubt Ms. Young is prepared to take on the challenging work 
of ensuring relief is delivered swiftly and effectively and that 
families, businesses, and communities across our country have the 
support they need to fully recover from this pandemic.
  I know that in order to move past this current crisis, we must work 
together. We all want to end the pandemic and reinvigorate our economy, 
but there are intense disagreements over how we achieve those shared 
goals.
  Ms. Young has demonstrated the ability to work hard, to find common 
ground during times of crisis and in the face of a deeply divided 
political climate, experience that makes her uniquely qualified to 
serve at OMB at this very moment.
  Having spent most of her career working in Congress, Ms. Young will 
also bring a profound respect for the role of the legislative branch. 
She understands the importance of Congress's oversight role and has 
firmly pledged to work with Congress in a cooperative and a transparent 
manner.
  Ms. Young also fully understands that laws enacted by Congress are 
the law of the land, and they remain the law of the land regardless of 
her own personal views.
  You know, I know that some of my Republican colleagues have expressed 
concerns about Ms. Young's personal views. However, I hope they 
recognize that she has repeatedly committed to following the laws put 
forth by Congress, including laws that she may personally disagree 
with.
  There is no doubt that Ms. Young is exceptionally qualified for this 
role. OMB urgently needs qualified, Senate-confirmed leaders, not only 
to address the current public health and economic crisis but also to 
strengthen Federal cybersecurity, review regulations, and modernize the 
Federal workforce.
  In short, OMB works to ensure that every part of government is 
working effectively for the American people. Her budget expertise, 
extensive record of bipartisan engagement, and deep-rooted 
understanding and respect for Congress are exactly what is needed to 
meet the challenges that we face now and the challenges that lie ahead.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the confirmation of 
Shalanda Young as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget.