Obama nominates new OMB deputy director
Heather Higginbottom currently serves as deputy assistant to the president.
With the White House preparing to release its fiscal 2012 budget in just a few weeks, President Obama moved on Friday to fill a key position at the Office of Management and Budget.
Heather Higginbottom was nominated to serve as deputy director of OMB, the number two position at the agency. Obama made the announcement on Friday along with the selection of several other economic advisors.
Higginbottom, who must be confirmed by the Senate, currently serves as deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. She previously was a policy director for Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, overseeing all aspects of policy development.
"Heather has a passion for her work and has demonstrated throughout her career a dedication to sound public policy that makes a difference in people's lives," said OMB Director Jacob Lew in a blog post on Friday.
From 1999 through 2007, Higginbottom worked for Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, in several positions, including as legislative director. She also served as the deputy national policy director for the Kerry-Edwards 2004 presidential campaign.
Higginbottom replaces Rob Nabors, who left OMB for a position inside the West Wing.