CAPAC Members Applaud Nomination of Julie Su for Secretary of the Department of Labor

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today at the White House, President Biden announced his nomination of Julie Su for the Cabinet position of Secretary of the Department of Labor. Last month, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) endorsed Su for the Secretary of Labor position. On February 17, 2023, CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) sent a letter along with 4 Senators and 29 Members of Congress urging President Biden to nominate Su for this position. Upon confirmation, Su would be the first AAPI to serve as a Cabinet Secretary in the Biden-Harris Administration.

Today, CAPAC Members released the following statements in support of Julie Su’s nomination:

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):

“I am overjoyed that President Biden has nominated Julie Su to be our next Labor Secretary. From serving as an attorney for the Asian Pacific American Legal Center to serving as Labor Secretary for the State of California, Deputy Secretary Su has been a champion for workers’ rights and fair labor practices her entire career. Deputy Secretary Su brings extensive professional experience to her new leadership role, and she will also bring her own personal experiences to the table as a woman of color and the daughter of immigrants. When she is confirmed, Deputy Secretary Su will be the first AANHPI official to serve in President Biden’s Cabinet at the Secretary-level. This would be a historic confirmation, 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.”

CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06):

“I am thrilled to hear of President Biden’s nomination of Deputy Secretary Julie Su for Labor Secretary. The nomination of Deputy Secretary Su is a critical step toward ensuring the cabinet reflects the full face of American diversity and I thank President Biden for this impactful nomination. Deputy Secretary Su has years of experience, knowledge, and skill in the labor field that will benefit America’s workers.”

CAPAC Second Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39):

“I'm thrilled President Biden has nominated Julie Su as his next Labor Secretary and first AAPI Cabinet Secretary. Ms. Su brought commendable experience to her Deputy Secretary role, which was informed by her passion to advance workers' rights, fair labor practices, and equity. I thank the President for making good on his commitment to a diverse Administration and I look forward to Ms. Su's confirmation process.”

CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36):

“I am thrilled that President Biden has nominated Julie Su to be the next Secretary of Labor. As Deputy Secretary of Labor, Julie did a fantastic job. She is a fearless advocate for the rights of workers and good-paying jobs across our economy. Under President Biden, our economy is booming. Julie will add to our economic strength by ensuring the Department of Labor continues to serve the needs and interests of American workers. I look forward to supporting her as she begins the confirmation process.”

CAPAC Freshman Representative Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02):

“A big mahalo to President Biden for nominating Julie Su to be the next Secretary of Labor. She is the most qualified candidate with a long career of fighting for workers to ensure that they are treated fairly and receive the pay and benefits that they deserve. Her experience serving as Deputy Secretary of Labor makes her the right person for this position at the right time in our nation’s history. Upon her confirmation, she will be President Biden’s first AAPI Cabinet Secretary. I applaud the President for upholding his promise to create a cabinet reflective of the diversity of our country and I will continue to fight to make sure all our people can see themselves in our government and our leaders. As workers across the country continue to build our economy and lead the revitalization of U.S. industry and innovation, I urge my Senate colleagues to act swiftly in confirming Julie Su to be our next Secretary of Labor.”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (IL):

“Julie Su is the most qualified person to be our nation’s next Secretary of Labor and I’m thrilled that President Biden nominated her to serve in his Cabinet today. With her proven track-record serving as the Department of Labor’s Chief Operating Officer, I’m confident Deputy Secretary Su is prepared to lead the Department on day one, and more importantly, know that she will continue to put workers’ rights first and push to expand fair labor practices. Julie Su also brings a unique perspective that will only help her as she works to make sure all Americans are represented in the policies crafted and implemented by this Administration. I will do everything I can to ensure her nomination is successful and look forward to working with Julie Su and President Biden to help build a stronger, more resilient economy where everyone can thrive.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI):

“President Biden made the right choice in nominating Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su to serve as the next Secretary of Labor. Throughout her career, Deputy Secretary Su has been a strong and effective champion for working people, fighting to combat wage theft, create jobs and ensure workers are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. For the past two years, Deputy Secretary Su has played a critical role at DOL, working closely with Secretary Walsh to build a more inclusive economy that provides every American with the opportunity to succeed. When confirmed, Deputy Secretary Su will be the first AAPI Cabinet-level Secretary in the Biden Administration, bringing critical diversity and lived experience to DOL and this Administration. President Biden has shown his continued confidence in Deputy Secretary Su and I look forward to voting to confirm her as quickly as possible so she can continue building on this Administration’s record of standing with working people and ensuring no community is left behind.”

Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06):

“I join my CAPAC colleagues in sending our congratulations to Julie Su on her historic nomination to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor. Deputy Secretary Su has a proven track record of championing workers’ rights and fair labor practices, and she will be a great advocate for working families and small businesses in Sacramento County. I would also like to commend President Biden for all the work he has done to elevate the voices of the AAPI community, including his actions to address the rise in anti-Asian hate and violence, and his appointment of a record number of AAPI leaders serving in the Biden-Harris Administration. I look forward to our continued partnership together in uplifting the AAPI community.”

Rep. Ed Case (HI-01):

“Representing a state with a deep and proud labor movement history, I recognize in Julie Su someone who shares our Hawaii’s tradition of advocating for fair, safe and healthy conditions in the workplace and will serve our country well as Secretary of Labor.”

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07):

“I am thrilled to see the President nominate Julie Su to be the first AAPI Secretary of Labor in our country’s history. She deeply understands how the Department of Labor should work and has demonstrated her commitment to fight for the lowest wage workers, including domestic workers, immigrant workers, and workers of color, both as Secretary of Labor in California and as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor. She will be a champion for all working people, and I am proud to support her nomination.”

Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17):

“Julie Su would do a fantastic job as Secretary of Labor. She has been an advocate for the rights of all workers, including the AANHPI community in California and across the U.S. During her time serving our state, she stood up for justice and equity, especially for low-wage workers and working families. I congratulate her on this historic nomination.”

Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03):

“When I was growing up, I didn’t see many American political leaders that looked like me. Today there is more diversity in our leadership and I’m so glad to see Julie Su nominated to serve as Labor Secretary. I believe that to inspire young people to get involved in service, they need to see people that look like them in these kinds of positions to inspire them and to show them that no matter what they look like, in America there is no barrier to achieving their dreams. I want to Congratulate Julie on her nomination and for being potentially the first AAPI in President Biden’s Cabinet at the Secretary level. I look forward to her swift confirmation.”

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08):

“Congratulations to Julie Su for being nominated to serve as the Secretary of Labor, and for becoming the first AAPI Cabinet Secretary nominated by President Biden. Ms. Su is a proven champion of American workers who has shown a fierce commitment to building a strong and inclusive economy, and I am confident she will work tirelessly in this position to improve working conditions and economic prosperity for American families.” 

Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12):

“I congratulate Julie Su on her well-deserved nomination to serve as the 30th Secretary of Labor, a nomination that will make her the first Asian American to join the Biden Administration’s Cabinet at the Secretary level. Throughout her career, Su has championed worker’s rights—from helping avoid a national rail crisis to ensuring jobs across the state of California pay living wages. She has the experience, tenacity, and knowledge this country needs. I know she will make a phenomenal Labor Secretary, and I look forward to working with her and the Biden administration to advance dignity, safety, and fair pay for all.”

Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-07):

“President Biden’s choice to nominate Julie Su to serve as Secretary of Labor is a monumental step in the right direction. The Biden Administration has taken proactive steps to ensure that our highest levels of government value diverse perspectives and lift up the most trusted voices from across our nation. Prior to working with Secretary Walsh to strengthen worker protections and modernize workforce training programs, Deputy Secretary Su served as Labor Secretary of California where she fought to improve health and safety in our workplaces and supported workers at small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A daughter of immigrants and a leader in the AANHPI community, Deputy Secretary Su’s nomination brings a wealth of experience and perspective that will be crucial to addressing the needs of our nation’s diverse workforce. I am excited to continue to work with her to deliver for American workers.”

Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03):

“Throughout her distinguished career, Deputy Secretary Su has stood up for vulnerable workers, championed labor rights, and improved the lives of workers and families across the country. Her strong record of leadership is precisely what we need during this difficult time for our nation’s workers. I congratulate Julie Su on her nomination and express my strong confidence that she will continue to fight for workers across the country as the Secretary of Labor.”

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01):

“The legislation we passed last Congress—the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act—are projected to create millions of jobs. As the President said during his State of the Union address, a job is about more than a paycheck; it’s about dignity. We need a bold and principled Labor Secretary who will help protect the dignity of American workers and direct our investments to create union jobs that are family-wage, inclusive, and provide the support workers need. Julie Su is a proven leader on labor rights and has the experience to guide the Department at a crucial time for our growing economy. I look forward to working with Deputy Secretary Su in her future role.”

Rep. Gerald Connolly (VA-11):

“President Biden has fulfilled his promise to assemble a Cabinet that looks like America. Earlier this month, I proudly endorsed the immensely qualified Julie Su for Secretary of Labor. There is no doubt she will excel as the Biden Administration's first AAPI Cabinet Secretary.”

Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07):

"I am thrilled that President Biden has nominated Deputy Secretary Julie Su for Secretary of Labor. Deputy Secretary Su has a proven track record in fighting for workers and advancing opportunities for all workers, including workers in historically underserved communities, making her highly qualified to lead the Department of Labor. I join my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in celebrating this nomination and I urge the Senate to confirm her swiftly."

Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-38):

“This moment in our nation’s history is pivotal for American workers. As we continue to make historic investments in infrastructure, transportation, clean energy, and American manufacturing, we need a proven leader advocating for worker’s rights. Deputy Secretary Julie Su is a tireless champion for workers and their families, and she has played an important role in our efforts to bring back millions of jobs, support higher wages, and build our economy back form the middle out. I am confident she will make a strong and effective Secretary of Labor.”