A day after a ceremony where he praised outgoing Chief of Staff Ron Klain and welcomed his replacement Jeff Zients, President Joe Biden confirmed on Feb. 2 that National Economic Council Director Brian Deese will step down from his post.
As Biden’s top White House economic adviser for the past two years, Deese helped coordinate the president’s economic strategy and served in a key role in negotiations with Congress on significant legislation.
“When I took office, we faced high unemployment, an economy in crisis, and main streets shuttered across the country. I knew we needed to not just get families back to work and businesses re-opened, we needed to rebuild our economy so no one was left behind,” Biden said in a Feb. 2 statement addressing Deese’s departure.
“For the past two years, I have relied on Brian Deese to help me do just that,” Biden continued.
“Brian has a unique ability to translate complex policy challenges into concrete actions that improve the lives of American people. He has helped steer my economic vision into reality, and managed the transition of our historic economic recovery to steady and stable growth.”
Biden added that Deese’s work “was critical to the passage” of the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPs and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
“I am grateful to his wife Kara and his children Adeline and Clark for letting us borrow Brian,” Biden said. “I know well what it must have been like to say goodbye to him for the regular long commute to Washington, and I know they’re excited to welcome him home.”
Deese joins Klain as the second key White House official to leave the Biden administration in 2023.
It is unclear who will replace the New England resident who commuted to Washington.
As Biden continues to drop hints about seeking another term in 2024, he has consistently touted increased manufacturing job numbers, falling inflation, and low unemployment figures in the new year.
Deese’s replacement will be faced with a growing battle with House Republicans over raising the debt ceiling.
On Feb. 1, Biden met with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to discuss the debt ceiling issue. Republicans are demanding spending cuts, and the White House said Biden is open to talking about that subject separate from increasing the debt ceiling.
Multiple reports indicate that Lael Brainard, the vice chair of the Federal Reserve, is a contender to replace Deese.
Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, Biden Senior Adviser Gene Sperling, and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Matthews Burwell are reportedly among the other candidates.
The NEC is part of the Executive Office of the President and advises presidents on U.S. and global economic policy. The director serves as a gatekeeper on economic policy decisions.
