President Biden on Tuesday nominated Julie Hsu to be labor secretary after she failed to receive a Senate confirmation vote in the previous Congress due to opposition from members of Biden's own party.
Suh, who has served as acting labor secretary since March, was re-elected after his initial nomination stalled for 281 days, one of the longest tenures for any cabinet nominee.
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) said of Suh's reappointment, “It's clear that Suh lacks the votes necessary for confirmation.”
“I urge President Biden to endorse qualified nominees who are committed to fair enforcement of our nation's labor laws, refrain from partisan activities, and are confirmed by the Senate.”
The White House announced that Senate Democrats had unanimously approved her to replace former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who she replaced, and that labor unions, business leaders, center-left groups, and the Democratic caucus in Congress Her support from was noted.
“Acting Secretary Hsu has a unique understanding of the challenges facing workers and businesses, which is why the President continues to support her nomination,” White House press secretary Emily Simmons told the paper.
Senate Assistance Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) added in a statement that he “strongly supports” Su returning to the Labor Department.
“Her strong worker advocacy record as Acting Secretary demonstrates beyond doubt that she is qualified for the job. Her tireless and consistent work on behalf of working families across the country She should continue as Secretary of Labor, and I urge my colleagues to support her nomination,” Sanders said.
In July 2023, centrist Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) announced that he would block Suh's confirmation, saying that Suh's “leadership in working together with both labor and industry'' He said there were doubts about his ability to “work out a compromise solution acceptable to both sides.”
“While her qualifications and qualifications are impressive, I have genuine concerns that Julie Su's more progressive background will prevent her from doing this. That's why I'm considering her Secretary of Labor I cannot support his nomination,” Manchin said.
The White House accused Manchin and then-Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of I-Ariz. of opposing Biden's nominees. both voted to approve her Appointed as Deputy Minister of Labor in July 2021.
Cassidy and other Senate Republicans also opposed her confirmation, arguing that she had served as acting labor secretary “in perpetuity,” unconstitutionally.
They claim her tenure violates the Federal Vacancy Reform Act of 1998, which states that employees can only serve in acting roles for 210 days.
Suh's wait is the longest Cabinet-level official has avoided confirmation when the same party controls both the Senate and the White House.
House Republicans also urged the Government Accountability Office to consider the matter, but a subsequent federal watchdog report found that Su was “legally acting as acting secretary.”
The court ruled that “the time restrictions on actress work under the Vacancies Act do not apply to her.''
Suh's rise to the top post at the federal labor agency came after former Boston Mayor Walsh left public service in February 2023 to take over the leadership of the National Hockey League Players Association.
Sue faced before Tough questions from Senate Republicans During her time as California Labor Secretary, she oversaw $31.4 billion in employment payments to fraudsters.
She also reportedly delayed relief payments to 5 million Californians during the coronavirus pandemic and wrongly denied relief payments to an additional 1 million people. State Legislature Report.
