The Facts
Julie Su, Pres. Biden’s nominee for labor secretary, is facing increased public opposition to her candidacy leading up to her April 20 hearing in the US Senate. She needs at least 50 votes in the Democrat-majority body, but support from all the Senate’s Democrats and independents isn’t certain.
Biden in February nominated Su, the deputy labor secretary, to replace the departed Martin J. Walsh. Before she joined the Biden administration in 2021, Su, a daughter of Chinese immigrants, was California’s labor commissioner, and the head of that state’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Su is the most radical and flawed labor secretary nominee in quite some time. Beyond her mismanagement of pandemic unemployment funds, she’s an enemy of small businesses and freelancers and has radical views on border security. Even moderate Democrats can’t get behind her. This is a poor calculation by Pres. Biden, who needs to nominate a candidate who reflects more moderate, business-friendly values.
Democratic narrative
Su is an ally of labor unions, workers, and businesses that adhere to established laws and treat their workers with respect and proper compensation. There will be many new jobs created under Biden’s infrastructure policies, and Su will advocate for and communicate with workers and businesses to make sure these jobs are solid, middle-class jobs. Attacks on her are coming from corporations that have flaunted labor laws for too long.
