In July, White House Office of Management and Budget director Peter Orszag could be leaving his post. Officials close to Orszag have said he would be leaving for a when, but the July date was only recently announced to the public. The White House OMB director carries significant financial and political clout within the government. Though names are being considered, no solid replacement has been appointed yet.
Peter Orszag as budget guru
As director of the OMB, Peter Orszag was a member of Obama’s cabinet. The OMB is charged with creating the annual White House budget that is sent to Congress. The OMB also provides estimates and opinions on legislation, in support of the Congressional Budget Office, upon the request of members of Congress. Two major pieces of legislation that Peter Orszag fought for were the stimulus bill and health care reform.
Peter Orszag’s government career
. He began as a Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and has moved up the ranks since then. From January 2007 to November 2008, Peter Orszag served as head of the Congressional Budget Office. Peter Orszag has also made a name for himself as an official White House blogger on spending budget issues.
Who’ll be the replacement for Peter Orszag?
The White House has not put out any names of who might be replacing Peter Orszag. A couple of names are thrown out by political watchers, though. Most likely, the replacement person will already be working within the White House. Some suggest that Rob Nabors can be groomed for the position, as he has been attending the senior staff meetings. The Economic Recovery Advisory Board may prove one more place to pull a possible replacement. Whoever the replacement is, President Obama has put significant power in the hands of the director of the OMB, so the budget guru better be somebody up to the task.
