Manchin vote imperils Biden pick for OMB

The nomination of Neera Tanden to lead the White House Office of Management and Budget was thrown into doubt Friday as West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin became the first Democratic lawmaker to oppose her confirmation.

During her confirmation hearings, Ms. Tanden apologized for spending years attacking top Republicans on social media. She is a former adviser to Hillary Clinton and served as president of the liberal-leaning Center for American Progress. With the Senate evenly divided between 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats, she’ll now likely need support from at least one Republican to win confirmation.

“I believe her overtly partisan statements will have a toxic and detrimental impact on the important working relationship between members of Congress and the next director of the Office of Management and Budget,” Mr. Manchin said in a statement. He added that, at a time of grave crisis, “it is more important than ever that we chart a new bipartisan course that helps address the many serious challenges facing our nation.”

It’s the first real test that Mr. Biden has faced on a nomination, with most of his Cabinet picks sailing through the chamber with bipartisan support. Ms. Tanden had also disparaged some liberals on social media, most notably Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Mr. Biden, asked Friday whether he would pull Ms. Tanden’s nomination, said no.

“I think we are going to find the votes and get her confirmed,” the president said.