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President-elect Joe Biden unveiled the top members of his economic team this afternoon in Wilmington, Delaware. They will be tasked with leading the incoming administration’s economic response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The nominees outlined their vision of the US economy and their role. Here’s some of what they had to say:

Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury nominee

Yellen said that the nation is “facing historic crises” like those the US saw during the Great Recession.

Yellen said “it is essential we move with urgency” to address the economic problems in America today. 

“Inaction will produce self reinforcing downturn causing yet more devastation,” the nominee added. 

If confirmed, Yellen would be the first woman to be treasury secretary.

Neera Tanden, Director of the Office of Management and Budget nominee

Tanden said it is her “profound honor to help shape the budgets and programs to keep lifting Americans up, to pull families back from the brink, to give everybody the fair chance my mom got, and that every single person deserves.” 

“That’s the America they were drawn to, the America the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect are ready to grow,” the nominee added.

Tanden noted that as Vice President-elect Harris, her mother also was born in India and immigrated to the US to pursue a better life.  

If confirmed, the nominee would be the first woman of color and first South Asian American to oversee the office.

Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury nominee

Adeyamo said he looks forward to working at Treasury with Janet Yellen “to reduce inequality in this country, expand the middle class, make sure we build an economy that works for everyone.”

He said the country “must also remain laser focused” in the treasury department’s role in “protecting national security.” 

He said, “The challenges before us today are unlike anything we have ever faced.”

If confirmed, Adeyemo would be the first Black deputy Treasury Secretary. 

Cecilia Rouse, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers nominee

Rouse said that the country is facing a moment of urgency and opportunity, unlike any we faced in modern times.” 

Jared Bernstein, selected as member of the Council of Economic Advisers

Bernstein said the Biden-Harris economic agenda is ‘“timely, resonant, and visionary.” 

He added that the US must create an economy “that’s far more resilient, far more fair, and far more inclusive.”

Heather Boushey, selected as member of the Council of Economic Advisers

Boushey said she’s dedicated her career to figuring out how we can grow and sustain the middle class.”

She said the American economy should “uproot the gender barriers and racial barriers that leave too many Americans outside the dream looking in.”

Learn more about Biden’s picks here.