Obama nominates economic aide to 2nd budget slot

[April 02, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has nominated one of his senior economic advisers as deputy director of the White House budget office.

Obama has chosen Brian Deese as his nominee for the number two slot at the Office of Management and Budget, a key position as Obama and Congress confront ongoing fiscal challenges.

Deese has been deputy director of Obama's National Economic Council and was a main administration figure during auto bailout negotiations in 2009.

Last month, Obama nominated Wal-Mart's Sylvia Mathews Burwell to lead the budget office. If confirmed by the Senate, Burwell and Deese would assume their roles as the government continues to deal with automatic spending cuts that took effect at the beginning of March.

The budget office also plays a crucial role in shepherding through government regulations.

[Associated Press]

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