Sanders confronts Tanden about ‘vicious attacks’ from the past

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Neera TeethNeera Tanden On The Money: What’s in Democrats’ .9 Trillion Aid Package | Spotlight on the suggested stimulus controls | Teeth tackles criticism of GOP Teeth tries to defuse GOP tensions over tweets Schumer promises Democrats will double-track coronavirus bill with impeachment process MORE, President BidenJoe BidenPostal Service Profits After Spike In Holiday Deliveries Overnight Defense: Pentagon Commits To Eliminate Extremism From Its Ranks | Top admiral condemns extremism after noose, hate speech discovered GOP senators send clear signal: Trump acquitted MOREnominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that was once assigned to Sen. Bernie SandersBernie Sanders On The Money: What’s in Democrats’ .9 Trillion Aid Package | Spotlight on the suggested stimulus controls | Teeth addresses GOP criticism Teeth tries to defuse GOP tensions over tweets Google extends election security support to federal, state campaigns MORE (I-Vt.) As “crazy,” looked at him Wednesday at a Senate confirmation hearing.

Sanders, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Budgets, confronted Tanden with her past criticisms at the opening of the hearing, calling her past attacks “mean.”

“My language and my social media expressions have hurt people, and I feel bad about it. And I really regret it and I recognize that it is very important for me to show that I can work with others.” she told Sanders.

Teeth, which, if confirmed, would assume a pivotal policy role in the White House, faced criticism from both sides of the aisle during her second day of confirmatory hearings.

Tanden was an assistant and supporter of the Senate Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton Teeth Tries To Defuse GOP Tensions Over Tweets Google Expands Election Security Support To Federal, State Campaigns What I Learned In 19 Weeks Working With Progressive Democrats MORE before heading the Center for American Progress (CAP) think tank and already being investigated for vicious rhetoric against Republicans, particularly on Twitter. She apologized to some of those Republicans on Tuesday during her first confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

But she also previously had harsh words about Sanders, Clinton’s main rival to the Democratic president in 2016.

Her. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamSenate Set Hearing For Garland Attorney General Appointment Cassidy calls Trump’s attorneys “ disorganized ” after surprise vote to proceed with trial. Study: Fossil fuel air pollution linked to 1 in 5 deaths worldwide | Biden will have more time to decide on Dakota Access Pipeline MORE (RS.C.), the committee’s ranking member, said those comments divided her nomination.

“Her disdain was not limited to Republicans,” he said, before reading one of Tanden’s Tweets: “Russia has done a lot more to help Bernie than the random internal emails from the DNC to help Hillary.”

“The point I’m trying to make here is that in a time of unity, we pick someone with those sharp elbows, and hopefully there will be a consequence, hopefully on our side,” he added.

Her. John KennedyJohn Neely Kennedy MORE (R-La.) Added his own colorful bloom to his questioning.

“You called Senator Sanders anything but an ignorant slut,” he said.

Sanders is not shy about tackling the issue himself, noting a letter from Republicans in the House Budget Committee drafting a litany of complaints against Teeth.

“I think most of us understand that we are debating the issues and try to minimize the level of personal brutal attacks that seem to be occurring all over this country today,” said Sanders.

“Of course your attacks weren’t just against Republicans. There were vicious attacks on progressives, people I’ve worked with, me personally,” he added, before asking Tanden to “reflect” on her past rhetoric.

Teeth reiterated her regret.

But Sanders’ criticism didn’t stop there.

He also expressed concern about large corporate donations that Tanden had solicited as head of CAP, including from major banks and technology companies.

“Before voting on your nomination, it is important for me and the members of this committee to know that the donations you bring in from CAP will not influence your decision-making at the OMB,” he said.

Tanden promised that those relationships would not affect her decision-making.

Graham, for his part, got to that point in Tanden’s defense.

“Miss Tanden received corporate donations, and I’m fine with that. I don’t mind if you receive corporate donations as long as they are legal and fully public,” he said.

“I think we all receive donations from different groups, that doesn’t mean you own because someone gives you money, so I’m not going to blame you.”

During both hearings, Tanden received personal introductions from Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy Klobuchar Senate Democrats Demand More Resources for Capitol Workers After Jan. 6 Attack on Hillicon Valley: Democratic Senators Announce Bill to Reform Section 230 | Labor Council Denies Amazon Request to Postpone Voting at Local Unions Robinhood Lifts Restrictions on GameStop, Other Stock Democratic Senators Introduce Bill to Restrict Section 230 Protection MORE (D-Minn.) And Sen. Cory BookerCory BookerOvernight Health Care: New COVID-19 Cases Drop Below 100K Nationally for the First Time in 2021 | CDC Warns States to Lift Restrictions Over Threat of Virus Variants | Health Officials Warn COVID-19 Eradication Unlikely Black Maternal Health Omnibus Package Introduced by Democratic Lawmakers Booker Reintroduces Bill to Give All Newborns, 000 Savings Accounts MORE (DN.J.), who vouched for Tanden’s abilities and spoke warmly about their friendship.

Tanden herself tried to soften her image by telling the story of her immigrant mother, whose dependence on social welfare programs helped her build a middle-class life, a story that resonated with Sanders.

“As the son of an immigrant, I understand some of what you’re talking about,” Sanders said.

Once Sanders dropped the harsh talk at the opening of the hearing, he moved to show unity between progressives and the Biden administration, asking Tanden if she supports a litany of progressive goals, such as raising the minimum wage to $ 15 per hour, lowering the Medicare age. up to 60, making public tuition free for those on low incomes, providing free universal pre-K, and imposing 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave.

Teeth answered every point in the affirmative.

Updated at 12:35 PM

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