Harris casts tie-breaking vote to confirm Kiran Ahuja as OPM head

Harris casts tie-breaking vote to confirm Kiran Ahuja as OPM head

AgenciesUpdated: Thursday, June 24, 2021, 01:41 AM IST
article-image

Lalit K Jha

Washington

US Vice President Kamala Harris has cast her tie-breaking vote in the bitterly divided Senate to confirm the nomination of Indian-American Kiran Ahuja as the head of the Office of Personnel Management, a federal agency that manages the country’s more than two million civil servants.

An American lawyer and activist, Ahuja, 49, is the first Indian-American to serve in this top position in the US government. Harris announced to cast her vote in favour of Ahuja on Tuesday after the Senate vote on this resulted in 50-50 votes on party lines.

“The Senate being evenly divided, the Vice President votes in affirmative,” Harris said.

With this, she has so far cast the 6th tie-breaking vote as the Vice President this year. Senator Dianne Feinstein said Ahuja has more than 2 decades of experience in public service and the philanthropic sector, including a senior role in OPM under former president Barack Obama.

“She has a breadth of knowledge and experience that will serve her well in the role,” she said.

RECENT STORIES

Canada: Rude Customer Abuses Indian-Origin Pizza Delivery Man In Toronto; Video Sparks Outrage

Canada: Rude Customer Abuses Indian-Origin Pizza Delivery Man In Toronto; Video Sparks Outrage

Paris Viral Video: High Voltage Drama At Charles de Gaulle Airport As Migrants Protest Against...

Paris Viral Video: High Voltage Drama At Charles de Gaulle Airport As Migrants Protest Against...

Pakistan Horror: Man Strangulates Sister To Death In Family's Presence; Shocking Crime...

Pakistan Horror: Man Strangulates Sister To Death In Family's Presence; Shocking Crime...

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Racist Posts Target Indian Crew On Social Media Following Collision

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Racist Posts Target Indian Crew On Social Media Following Collision

'Undoubtedly Saved Lives': US Prez Joe Biden Lauds Quick Action By Indian Crew Members In Baltimore...

'Undoubtedly Saved Lives': US Prez Joe Biden Lauds Quick Action By Indian Crew Members In Baltimore...