Biden nominates Princeton economist Cecilia Rouse to chair Council of Economic Advisers

President-elect Joe Biden has nominated economist Cecilia Rouse, the dean of the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs, to chair the Council of Economic Advisers. The chair serves as a member of the president’s cabinet.

On Tuesday afternoon, Rouse joined Biden in Wilmington, Del. as he formally unveiled his economic team.

If Rouse is confirmed, she will be the fourth woman, and the first African American, to chair the council, Biden said.

“She’s a proud daughter, whose mom, a school psychologist, encouraged her to pursue economics. Her dad, one of the countries first African American astrophysicists, dared her to dream. She’s done both,” Biden said.

Rouse said Tuesday that she was humbled, honored, and ready to get to work for the American people. She said she had not anticipated returning to public service, but felt the urgency of doing so because of the economic crisis the country faces.

“This is a moment of urgency and opportunity unlike any we have faced in modern times  — the urgency of ending a devastating crisis and the opportunity to build a better economy in its wake, an economy that works for everyone, brings fulfilling job opportunities, and leaves no one to fall through the cracks,” Rouse said. “I look forward to working with the president-elect, and vice-president-elect, and this amazing entire economic team to address that urgency and seize that opportunity, and make our economic system work better for every American.”

The other members of Biden’s economic team include Neera Tanden, his nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, Treasury secretary nominee Janet Yellen, and deputy Treasury secretary nominee Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo. Biden also announced that he has selected Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey to be members of the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

“We can build a new American economy that works for all Americans. We need to act now though, and we need to work together.” Biden said Tuesday from Wilmington. “As we battle the COVID-19 disease, we have to make sure that businesses and workers have the tools, resources and guidance, and the health and safety standards, to be able to operate safely. The goal is simple — to keep businesses and schools open safely. For millions of Americans who have lost their jobs or hours, and have had to claim unemployment, we have to deliver them immediate relief  — that includes affordable healthcare for millions of people who have lost it or are in danger of losing it.”

Biden said his transition team is already working on a plan to address the economic and COVID-19 crises. The economic team will play a critical role in shaping plans to revive the economy and address the structural inequities in the economy, Biden said.