
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) criticized President Joe Biden's pick to head the Office of Management and Budget for accepting millions from "powerful" corporate special-interest groups.
Sanders, who now chairs the Senate Budget Committee and presided over Neera Tanden's confirmation hearing, began by highlighting her stint as president of the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank that took more than $38 million from top U.S. corporations under her leadership. The Vermont socialist said her decision to take corporate money "concerns [him] very much."
"Too often, campaign contributions are what determines policy rather than the needs of ordinary Americans," Sanders said. "CAP has received money from some of the most powerful special interests in our country. How will your relationship with those very powerful special interests impact your decision-making if you are appointed to be the head of OMB?"