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 while, but the July date was only just lately 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.
How Orszag controlled the budget
As head of the Office of Management and Budget, Peter Orszag has held a cabinet-level position. The OMB is charged with creating the annual White House budget that is sent to Congress. The Congressional Budget Office also receives support from the OMB, when requested. While in the position of spending budget head, Peter Orszag championed two major pieces of legislation — the stimulus bill and health care reform.
In 1997, Peter Orszag started his first job inside the White House. The first job Orszag held was Special Assistant for Economic Policy. From January 2007 to November 2008, Peter Orszag served as head of the Congressional Budget Office. Peter Orszag also writes the official Office of Management and Budget blogger.
Peter Orszag’s replacement?
The White House has not put out any names of who may be replacing Peter Orszag. Some names, though, have been floated. It is probably that the replacement will be somebody already working within the White House staff. Some think it may be Rob Nabors, who’s already attending senior staff meetings. Members of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board and Treasury Secretary counselors have also been named as possible replacements. Whoever the replacement is, President Obama has put significant power within the hands of the director of the OMB, so the budget guru better be someone up to the task.
