Lieberman Reacts to Orszag Departure

I know things are a little Orszag-heavy on FedBlog today, but wanted to pass along Joe Lieberman's reaction to the budget chief's departure. Lieberman, who chairs the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sure doesn't make the job sound particularly appealing, citing the "tremendous challenges" that lay ahead for Orszag's successor.

"Peter Orszag has served his country at a time of unprecedented budgetary and economic peril, facing challenges beyond the norm for OMB and those who lead it. He has been instrumental in putting together a major recovery package, without which we might be facing a much worse situation today.

"Dr. Orszag has served this government ably for a number of years and at OMB has helped a new president manage the budgets of over 100 agencies, cabinet departments, boards and commissions, as well as playing a vital role in the passage of historic health care reform.

"Moving ahead, the next OMB Director will face tremendous challenges in righting our long-term fiscal imbalance and starting to close our enormous gaps in the debt and deficit. I look forward to working with whoever that Director is to tackle these historic problems facing our country. In the meantime, I wish Dr. Orszag all the best in his future endeavors and his return to private life."