The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is ramping up pressure on President Joe Biden to diversify his Cupboard by choosing Julie Su to switch Labor Secretary Marty Walsh when he departs next month.
Caucus chair Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., on Friday despatched a letter to Biden signed by 33 lawmakers urging Biden to again Su, who’s now deputy labor secretary, for the division’s high put up. If nominated and confirmed, Su can be the primary Asian American to function a Cupboard secretary within the Biden administration.
The push to appoint Su was backed by practically half of the caucus’ 68 congressional members, together with 4 senators, and comes a day after Walsh introduced he can be stepping down in mid-March to take a job as government director of the Nationwide Hockey League Gamers’ Affiliation.
“Deputy Secretary Su is a robust lady of shade who’s eminently certified to take on the duty as U.S. Secretary of Labor and would ship outcomes for American staff and your administration instantly upon her affirmation,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Her voice and perspective can be invaluable to the Administration, particularly as there isn’t any Secretary-level Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) official at the moment serving in your Cupboard.”
Su was confirmed by the Senate for her present put up in a 50-47 vote.
Congressional Democrats, nonetheless, haven’t coalesced behind Su. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has been making calls on behalf of former New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney for labor secretary. NBC Information reported last week that Pelosi has been urging the White Home and labor leaders to assist Maloney, in keeping with two sources acquainted with the calls.
Friday’s letter pushing for Su’s nomination is just not the primary time the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus has pressed Biden on Cupboard secretary positions.
In December 2020, the caucus mentioned that Biden’s administration was shaping as much as be “the primary time in over 20 years” that there would not be an AAPI Cupboard secretary. “Allow us to be clear: that end result is unacceptable,” the caucus mentioned in an announcement on the time.
Biden later nominated Katherine Tai for the Cupboard-level put up of U.S. commerce consultant. She’s the first Asian American, and first lady of shade, confirmed by the Senate to carry the place.
This text was initially printed on NBCNews.com
