The former executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Pacific Americans has been confirmed as the new director of the Office of Management and Budget, reports India West.
Vice President Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote for Kiran Ahuja, breaking a 50-50 tie in the senate.
Ahuja previously worked in the White House in the Obama administration as the chief of Staff of OPM and as director of its Initiative on Asian Pacific Americans.
She is an Indian American civil rights attorney. As OPM’s new director, she will oversee two million civil servants and becomes the first South Asian American to lead the agency.
Republicans opposed her because of her support for critical race theory and abortion rights.
According to the American Bazaar, she currently serves as CEO of Philanthropy Northwest, a network of philanthropic organizations.
“She has a breadth of knowledge and experience that will serve her well in the role,” U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said, the American Bazaar reported.
“Throughout her career, Kiran Ahuja has built a tremendous record of championing federal personnel matters and remains a strong advocate for women of color,” said senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA).
She is also founding executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum.
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