Facing charges of non-payment of taxes, Tom Daschle withdrew his name on Tuesday, from the post of US Secretary of Health and Human Services, hours after Obama's pick for the White House budget czar, Nancy Killefer, pulled
out on similar reasons.
"I am withdrawing my name from consideration for Secretary of Health and Human Services," Daschle, who has been facing serious charges of not paying his taxes, said in a statement issued by the White House.
US President Barack Obama accepted Daschle's decision with regret, while praising his record at public service.
"I accept his decision with sadness and regret," Obama said in a statement.
This came as a second major setback to the Obama Administration today, as only a few hours earlier Killefer,
who was slated to be the White House's first chief performance officer, withdrew her nomination. Killefer is also facing taxation issues.
"Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it. But this mistake, and this decision, cannot diminish the many contributions Tom made to this country, from his years in the military to his decades of public service," Obama said.
He said Daschle has devoted his life to public service and health care reform, so that every American has access to
health care they can afford.
