Senate Panel Advances Biden’s Labor Secretary Nominee Julie Su

Senate Committee Advances Biden’s Labor Secretary Pick Despite Concerns

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) has given the green light to President Joe Biden’s nominee for the Department of Labor, Julie Su. However, the nominee still faces an uphill battle to be approved by the full Senate, with key swing-voters yet to announce their support.

Su’s appointment has been met with criticism due to her previous role as head of the California Employment Development Department (EDD), where over $31 billion in COVID-19 unemployment funds were fraudulently dispersed. Even a rapper called Nuke Bizzle was able to defraud the government of $300,000 in COVID relief funds under Su’s watch, as he boasted in a rap video.

Republican Criticism

Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) have both criticized Su’s track record in California. Romney highlighted the fact that under Su’s leadership, $31 billion was fraudulently paid out, which is almost twice the total budget of the Department of Labor. He also cited Su’s lack of experience in negotiating labor deals.

Swing-Voters Yet to Announce Support

Swing-voters like Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Angus King (I-Maine), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) have yet to announce their support for Su’s nomination. Manchin, Sinema, and Tester are each facing reelection bids in 2024 in moderate and red states.

Anti-Gig Economy Bill

Critics have also pointed to Su’s support for an anti-gig economy bill in California, which would have reclassified many independent contractors as employees, potentially harming small businesses and workers.

• Despite the controversy surrounding Su’s nomination, the HELP panel advanced her nomination in an 11-10 vote along party lines.
• It remains to be seen whether Su will be able to secure the necessary support from swing-voters to be confirmed as the next Secretary of Labor.