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TWITTER President Biden picks current Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su for his Cabinet. |
“Julie is a champion for workers, and she has been a critical partner to Secretary Walsh since the early days of my Administration," said Biden. "Over several decades, Julie has led the largest state labor department in the nation, cracked down on wage theft, fought to protect trafficked workers, increased the minimum wage, created good-paying, high-quality jobs, and established and enforced workplace safety standards.”
Talking about her immigrant roots and how she worked her way up to become first California's Labor Secretary and eventually the Labor Department's Deputy Secretary, Biden said, "Julie is the American Dream. And she is what the American Dream is about. (Applause.) More importantly — I think even more importantly, she is committed to making sure that dream is within the reach of every American. Every American. That’s what she’s all about."
Su replaces former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who resigned his Cabinet post to lead the National Hockey League Players' Association.
"Recently, she got a call from the President of the United States telling her that her daughter was going to be nominated to be U.S. Labor Secretary.
"So, I believe in the transformative power of America, and I know the transformative power of a good job.," continued Su. "I know because it was the kind of job that my mom got that had predictable hours, paid sick leave, health benefits, a secure income, and a pension when she retired. A union job that gave my parents a path to the middle class and gave our family the kind of breathing room that the President talks about."
Su replaces former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who resigned his Cabinet post to lead the National Hockey League Players' Association.
"Sixty years ago, my mom came to the United States on a cargo ship because she couldn’t afford a passenger ticket," said Su in front of her family and a roomful of supporters, including a good number of House and Senate members.
"Recently, she got a call from the President of the United States telling her that her daughter was going to be nominated to be U.S. Labor Secretary.
"So, I believe in the transformative power of America, and I know the transformative power of a good job.," continued Su. "I know because it was the kind of job that my mom got that had predictable hours, paid sick leave, health benefits, a secure income, and a pension when she retired. A union job that gave my parents a path to the middle class and gave our family the kind of breathing room that the President talks about."
Actually, there are four Asian Americans in Biden's Cabinet. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Arati Prabhakar, who leads the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, though, are not Secretaries. Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to serve as vice president, is also a cabinet member.
Democrats control the Senate means d Su is likely be confirmed and she has the backing of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus as well as the Congressional Black Caucus.
Democrats control the Senate means d Su is likely be confirmed and she has the backing of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus as well as the Congressional Black Caucus.
Su's expected confirmation "would be a historic confirmation," said Rep. Judy Chu, chair of CAPAC, "as it would further advance President Biden’s pledge to create an Administration that reflects the diversity of our country. I strongly urge my colleagues in the Senate to act swiftly and confirm Julie Su’s nomination.”
Su's nomination comes at a time when union membership has been declning. Only 10% of America's workers are in unions. Through her work, Su had the strong support of labor leaders who backed Biden's bid for the Presidency.
"There's no one more dedicated and qualified to defend the fundamental rights of working people than Julie Su," said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. "It's her life's work."
"When the President talks about those who’ve been forgotten or invisible, I know what he means because I have spent my career fighting for them to be seen," said Su in conclusion.
"So to all workers who are toiling in the shadows, to workers who are organizing for power and respect in the workplace, know that we see you, we stand with you, and we will fight for you."
"So to all workers who are toiling in the shadows, to workers who are organizing for power and respect in the workplace, know that we see you, we stand with you, and we will fight for you."
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.
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