President Joe Biden has nominated two new individuals for top positions at the Federal Reserve, marking the latest effort by the administration to shape the central bank’s leadership.
Philip Jefferson, a professor of economics at Swarthmore College, has been nominated to the position of Fed governor. If confirmed by the Senate, Jefferson would take the place of current Governor Randal Quarles, whose term ends later this year.
Adriana Kugler, a professor of public policy at Georgetown University, has been nominated to serve as vice chair of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. If confirmed, Kugler would replace Vice Chair Richard Clarida, who announced in September that he would be resigning early next year.
The nominations come as the Federal Reserve faces a number of challenges, including rising inflation, concerns over the labor market, and ongoing debates over the future of monetary policy. Biden has been working to reshape the central bank’s leadership in order to address these issues and ensure that the Fed is well-equipped to respond to economic challenges in the coming years.
Both Jefferson and Kugler bring significant experience in the field of economics to their prospective positions. Jefferson has previously worked as a research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, while Kugler has served in various economic advisory roles for the U.S. government, as well as for international organizations like the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.
In a statement announcing the nominations, Biden praised both candidates for their qualifications and experience, saying that he was confident they would serve the American people well in their new roles.
“These two distinguished individuals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their prospective positions, and I am confident they will provide strong leadership and sound judgment at this critical moment for our economy,” Biden said.
The nominations must now be confirmed by the Senate, which could take several months. However, with Democrats currently holding a slim majority in the chamber, it is likely that both candidates will ultimately be confirmed.