United States President Joe Biden has tapped Shalanda Young and Nani Coloretti– two women of colour– to take charge of the top budgeting office of the White House. The nomination is yet to be approved by the United States Senate.

If confirmed, Young would become the first black woman to lead the Office of Management and Budget in the White House, while Colorretti– a Filipino American– will serve as the deputy commander of the office.   

Biden, while spending the holidays in Massachusetts’ Nantucket Island, said in a video statement, “Today it’s my honor to nominate two extraordinary, history-making women to lead the Office of Management and Budget”, according to reports from Associated Press.

While speaking about Young, Biden said that she had impressed him and the congressional leaders in the country. Young, who is affiliated with the Democratic party, was picked after Neera Tanden –Biden’s first nominee– faced criticism from United States lawmakers.

Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat who has become a pivotal vote for Biden’s agenda in a chamber split 50-50, was the first Democrat to oppose Tanden’s nomination and, lacking the necessary votes, she ultimately withdrew from consideration.

Biden later gave Tanden a job in the White House, where she is staff secretary and a senior presidential advisor.

So far, it is unclear when the confirmation vote for the two officials will be conducted in the United States Senate. Young had previously cleared the hurdle in March this year, after being confirmed as the deputy director of the body with a vote tally of 63-37. More than a dozen members of the Republican party voted in favour of her.

Young, who previously was staff director for the House Appropriations Committee, also has support from top Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to reports from Associated Press.

(With AP inputs)