The future of the Department of Labor and the United States of America is in jeopardy.
Will Julie Su become the next Secretary of Labor? It’s hard to say. This question has been on many minds since the news that a committee had advanced Su’s nomination Wednesday, but it remains to be seen whether she can garner enough votes in the full Senate.
Julie Su is the current California labor secretary and former Deputy Labor Secretary under President Obama. As the first Asian American woman to be put forward for the position of Secretary of Labor, her nomination carries with it a great weight of responsibility and symbolism.
Su’s nomination is one of several nominations President Biden has put forward to fill vacant department positions in the cabinet. The Department of Labor controls major policy decisions that can have a direct effect on the labor force in the United States, and the Secretary of Labor oversees how the department runs and carries out its duties.
Su has a lot of experience in labor law, having worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Department of Industrial Relations, and the California Public Utilities Commission. She is well respected in the labor law community and has been credited with making California’s labor laws much stronger than they were when she took office in 2011.
However, Su has faced criticism from some in the Senate, especially Republicans, citing her lack of experience running a large government agency as a major concern. Although she has a long history of championing labor rights, some have argued that she is not experienced enough to helm the Department of Labor.
This criticism has been furthered by members of the Senate who were angered by Su’s decision to revoke five consumer protection regulations issued by the Trump administration during her time as California labor secretary. Su believes the regulations would have increased the burden on employers and weakened the rights of workers.
It’s unclear whether Su will be able to successfully navigate the Senate confirmation process and be confirmed as the Secretary of Labor. Her supporters argue that her wealth of experience in labor law and her dedication to protecting the rights of workers should be enough for her to succeed in the process.
At the same time, Su’s opponents argue that her lack of experience in managing a large government agency and her controversial decision to revoke the five consumer protection regulations make her unsuitable for the position.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not Su will be confirmed as the Secretary of Labor rests with the Senate. The confirmation process is often long and contentious, and we won’t know the result until the full Senate votes on her nomination. Until then, the future of the Department of Labor and the United States of America is in jeopardy.
