President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday his intention to nominate Julie Su as secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL).
Su has been deputy secretary of labor since July 2021, where she has worked closely with current DOL Secretary Marty Walsh. Previously, Su headed the labor department for the state of California and began her career in government services as California labor commissioner.
“It is my honor to nominate Julie Su to be our country’s next Secretary of Labor,” said Biden in a new statement from the White House. “Julie has spent her life fighting to make sure that everyone has a fair shot, that no community is overlooked, and that no worker is left behind. 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.”
Before entering her career in government, Su spent 17 years as a civil rights attorney and represented over 70 Thai garment workers who were trafficked and forced to work in unsafe conditions for less than minimum wage. Her work in the case helped workers win compensation and earned her a “genius” grant from the MacArthur Foundation in 2001.
The nomination is expected to be met with much appraisal from Senate Democrats. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) tweeted his appraisal of the nomination earlier today.
“I’m confident Julie Su will be an excellent Secretary of Labor,” he wrote on Twitter. “I look forward to working with her to protect workers’ rights and build the trade union movement in this country.”
Su would replace Secretary Walsh, who earlier this month announced his decision to leave his post for a new role as executive director of the NHL Players’ Association in March. Even without a nomination, Walsh’s departure would leave Su as the agency’s acting lead.
Su is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School. If confirmed, Su would become the first Asian American secretary to serve in Biden’s cabinet.
This is a developing story and will be updated as needed.
SEE ALSO:
- Labor Secretary Walsh Leaving Biden Cabinet for NHLPA Job: Reports
- Biden Picks Boston Mayor Walsh for Labor Secretary
Amanda Umpierrez is the Managing Editor of 401(k) Specialist magazine. She is a financial services reporter with over six years of experience and a passion for telling stories and reporting news. Amanda received her degree in journalism and government and politics at St. John’s University. She is originally from Queens, New York, but now resides in Denver, Colorado with her partner. In her free time, Amanda enjoys running, cooking, and watching the latest drama show.
