(CNN) -- Former Sen. Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a statement Tuesday from the White House. Former Sen. Tom Daschle apologized for making mistakes on his tax records. Daschle had been fighting to save his nomination after controversy over his tax records and questions over his work in a field that some consider lobbying. In a statement announcing his withdrawal, Daschle said it was an honor to be chosen to lead the reform of America's health care system. "But if 30 years of exposure to the challenges inherent in our system has taught me anything, it has taught me that this work will require a leader who can operate with the full faith of Congress and the American people, and without distraction," he said.
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NEW: President Obama accepts Tom Daschle's decision "with sadness and regret"
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Daschle's nomination questioned due to tax problems, work in recent years
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Move follows withdrawal of Obama's pick for chief performance officer
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Daschle has long history with Congress, was Senate majority leader
Promising "a new era of openness in our country," @placeholder signed executive orders relating to ethics guidelines for staff members as one of his first acts in office.