Washington, D.C. — In response to President-elect Joe Biden’s expected appointments of Brian Deese to lead the National Economic Council; Neera Tanden as the first woman of color to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget; Janet Yellen as the first woman to be Treasury Secretary; Wally Adeyemo as the Deputy Secretary for the Treasury; and Cecilia Rouse as the first woman of color to lead the Council of Economic Advisors along with Heather Boushey and Jared Bernstein, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from LCV President Gene Karpinski:

“Economic policy is climate policy, and President-elect Biden is assembling an incredible team committed to addressing climate change and economic and racial inequality. 

“The importance of naming Deese, a longtime climate policy expert, to the key role of NEC Director cannot be overstated. From his success in helping rebuild the American auto industry with stronger clean car standards, advancing the Paris Climate Agreement, protecting our lands and ocean and much more, he is exactly the experienced climate leader we need at President Biden’s side as they rebuild our economy. 

“At OMB, Tanden will bring a wealth of experience fighting for progress on the biggest cross-cutting challenges of our time, from the economy to health care to climate change. 

“As Treasury Secretary and Deputy Secretary, Yellen and Adeyemo will help Biden meet his commitment to promote American clean energy exports and investments, which will be advanced while protecting workers and the environment from corporate exploitation. 

“At CEA, Rouse, Boushey and Bernstein will ensure our economic policies account for the impacts of climate change and extreme weather disasters, particularly the disproportionate impacts on low-income communities and people of color.

“We are confident these appointments will help ensure climate and environmental justice are top priorities across the next administration’s domestic and international economic initiatives. This is what an all-of-government approach looks like. With these appointments and other recent announcements including a historic all-female senior communications team, we are thrilled to see the incoming administration continuing to deliver on their commitment to staffing the government with a diverse set of leaders more reflective of the makeup of our country.”

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