AAPI Victory Fund Statement on Tanden and Other Appointments

WASHINGTON - Earlier this week, Neera Tanden withdrew her nomination to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Tanden would have been the first woman of color and first Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) to lead the agency, and one of two AAPI women in President Biden’s Cabinet. 

“The AAPI Victory Fund is undoubtedly disappointed that Neera Tanden, who has the experience, leadership and progressive values to serve and build back better did not get confirmed,” said Shekar Narasimhan, founder and chair of the AAPI Victory Fund. “Despite this loss, there are still many additional qualified AAPIs who are in the pipeline for senior leadership and other appointments within the Biden administration. We look forward to working with the Administration in filling the remaining 3,000 positions, including OMB, to make sure our community is appropriately represented.”

AAPI Victory Fund co-founder and board member, Dilawar Syed, has been nominated as Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and other highly-qualified individuals in the AAPI community have been nominated for Senate confirmed positions. 

“We are excited about Dilawar’s appointment and hope that the Administration will continue to fulfill its promise to appoint and hire a government that looks like America, and serves all of America,” continued Narasimhan.

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The AAPI Victory Fund is focused on mobilizing Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) eligible voters and moving them to the ballot box.