Few Know Shalanda Young. But She Saved The Us From The Kinds Of Economic Crises Trump Now Faces

Few Democrats found ways to negotiate with Republicans quite like Shalanda Young - whose work as White House budget director stopped several potential economic crises from erupting.

She brokered a 2023 deal to stop the government from defaulting on its debt. She worked to keep the government from shutting down, preserve disaster relief and address a baby formula shortage . She helped save aid to Ukraine with a loan based on frozen Russian assets.

Young may have been the most powerful low-profile person in the Biden administration. And while President Joe Biden leaves office with a dismal approval rating and a mixed legacy, she departs as the director of the Office of Management and Budget with a record with more wins than losses.

Her formula for success: a blend of understanding the arcana of federal spending, reading the politics of the moment, and convincing reluctant lawmakers that compromise was in their interest.

"She was an enormous challenge to negotiate with because of her skills, her intelligence and her wicked sense of humor," said former Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry. "I mean that as the highest of compliments."