Former Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle has cleared the first hurdle in his nomination to become the new White House Budget Director. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the Republican’s nomination on a vote of 9-0 Wednesday. Nussle testified before the committee on July 24th.
Nussle described himself as an "optimist" and someone who likes to "dive right in and tackle tough problems." The Senate Budget Committee will vote on Nussle’s nomination today and the matter could go before the full chamber yet this week. Prior to an unsuccessful run to become Iowa’s governor last year, Nussle served 16 years in the U.S. House. He spent six years as chairman of the House Budget Committee.