The vision of inclusion continues to take shape in America. President-elect Joe Biden selected former ambassador of the Obama administration Susan Rice to lead the White House Domestic Policy Council. Biden’s “Build Back Better” mission is showcasing its effect, by rendering his future administration to focus on racial equity, healthcare, and the ever-present coronavirus pandemic.
At age 56, Rice has amassed over 20 years’ experience in foreign policy; her recent activity seen through the Obama administration as Ambassador of the United Nations. Rice later filled the role of a national security advisor. According to reports from CNN, her potential influence as leadership for the White House Domestic Policy Council “will elevate the profile” in the Biden cabinet, and create a sense of recovery from the previous presidential party activity.
Rice has the potential to join other significant presidential advisers. That includes Democrat Leon Panetta and Republican James Baker; they concentrate on foreign policy and domestic initiatives. Circulating reports from Yahoo News, democratic policymakers have contested Rice’s ability to receive approval from a “Republican-controlled” senate branch. Additionally, lawmakers are showing concern with Biden’s decision to consider Rice for a domestic advisory position, seeing how it’s polarizing to her strengths in foreign policy.
However, there is no need for the senate branch to vouch for Rice to secure the position, which is looking to work in her favor. Past actions that work against Rice would be her “criticized response” to the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission and her history in the “CIA Annex” in Benghazi, Libya.
Biden is still looking to secure a place for Rice in his administration. A key connection between Biden and Rice was in 2008, they worked closely in the Obama administration. When Biden was active as vice president and Rice served as the UN ambassador, both sides led activities that may have overlapped. As a promising contender, Rice will supervise the development, coordination, and execution of domestic policy in the White House.
As the potential leader of White House Policy, Rice will work directly with the president to keep the administration aligned with its set agenda. Rice would manage the department’s staff and interns in specific policies that include education, energy, environment, healthcare, immigration, infrastructure, labor, urban affairs, and veteran matters according to the official website of the White House.
Reflecting on the information found on Ballotpedia, former ambassador Rice was born in Washington D.C. in 1964, and she received her bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford University. Rice continued her education at Oxford University where she earned her Master’s in Philosophy (M.Phil) and a Doctor in Philosophy (D.Phil) in International relations.
Digging deeper into her background, Rice had a leading role as an international management consultant at McKinsey and Company in Toronto, Ontario in 1993. Expanding her political influence over the years, Rice had a hand in the Clinton administration. She was a member of the National Security Council, as director for international organizations and peacekeeping. Gradually, she became a special assistant to 42nd President Bill Clinton.
In 1997, Rice was recommended for the assistant secretary for the African Affairs position. She served under that title until 2001, Rice took on a senior position in foreign policy at the Brookings Institute soon after. She came back to Capitol Hill in 2008, to become the Ambassador to the United Nations and national security adviser from 2009 to 2017.
A key part to Biden’s “Build Back Better” Initiative is racial equity. In partnering with Vice-President Kamala Harris, selecting former General Lloyd Austin for Pentagon leadership, and now preserving Rice for White House Domestic Policy, Biden is showing the authenticity in his mission. The vision for a diverse population within the Biden Cabinet is well underway.
