OMB nominee has positive meeting with key Senate Republican

President Obama's choice of budget director cleared a key hurdle on Tuesday.

Sylvia Burwell had a positive meeting with Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), the second highest Republican on the Senate Budget Committee.

Grassley, who opposed the nomination of Jack Lew to be Treasury secretary, said that so far he has no problem with Burwell.

Grassley cautioned that he withholds final judgment until after a confirmation hearing, but his lack of opposition is an important milestone for Burwell.

The Office of Management and Budget nominee served as deputy budget director in the Clinton administration and most recently headed The Wal-Mart Foundation.

A confirmation hearing is slated to occur in late April, after the Obama administration releases its delayed 2014 budget on April 8. Acting Budget Director Jeff Zients is expected to present the new budget to Congress before the start of the Burwell nomination hearings at the Budget and Homeland Security committees.