AsAm US Senators deliver ultimatum for better AAPI representation in the Biden administration

Senators Tammy Duckworth, left, and Mazie Hirono.

Senators Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii backed off on their threat to withhold voting for President Biden's nominees until AAPI representation in Biden's Cabinet improved.

Duckworth and Hirono, the only Asian American members of the US Senate,  reflected AAPI leaders' frustration with the lack of an AAPI senior Cabinet member despite Biden's vow to have his cabinet "look like America."

With the Senate evenly split between the GOP and Democrats, a "no" vote by Duckworth and/or Hirono would effectively guarantee a nominee's rejection.

Hours after their announcement, the White House said that a senior liaison would be appointed to make sure that AAPI concerns are voiced and addressed.

With the announcement of the liaison to night, Duckworth’s spokesman said the senator would not stand in the way of “qualified nominees — which will include more AAPI leaders.”

“Senator Duckworth appreciates the Biden Administration’s assurances that it will do much more to elevate AAPI voices and perspectives at the highest levels of government, including appointing an AAPI senior White House official to represent the community, secure the confirmation of AAPI appointments and advance policy proposals that are relevant and important to the community,” spokesman Ben Garmisa said in a statement.

Hirono also said that she would vote yes for qualified nominees. 

Since the November election, AAPI leaders have been lobbying heavily for AAPI representatives for Biden's Cabinet, even submitting a list of prospective qualified nominees. Most of them never even received a call, according to Duckworth.

Biden's Cabinet is the first Presidential Cabinet since 2000 to not include an AAPI Secretary.

The two AAPI senators met virtually with senior Biden officials Monday evening to express their frustration at the lack of AAPI representation in the Biden Cabinet.

“To be told that, well, you have (Vice President) Kamala Harris, we’re very proud of her, you don’t need anybody else, is insulting,” Duckworth said.

“That is not something you would say to the Black Caucus — ‘Well you have Kamala, we’re not going to put any more African Americans in the Cabinet because you have Kamala,’” said Duckworth, according to the New York Times.

“Why would you say it to AAPI?” she added.

Tuesday morning, Duckworth told the White House that she would reject Biden's "non-diversity" nominees. Hirono made a similar statement. The offer of senior liaison was offered only after the Senators expressed their frustration and issued their ultimatum.