Rep. Takano leads 14 Members in Sending a Letter to Biden Transition in Support of Julie Su for Secretary of Labor
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) along with fourteen Members of Congress sent a letter to the Biden Transition Team recommending Julie Su, who currently serves as the Secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, for the Cabinet position of U.S. Secretary of Labor.
In the letter, the Members state “Secretary Su is a daughter of immigrants who would bring a diversity of thought and experience to your cabinet. As we separate ourselves from the disastrous policies of the previous administration, it will be critically important to nominate professionally and culturally diverse individuals to your cabinet—particularly more Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs)—as you look to build an Administration that is better representative of our country and its people.”
They continue, “In Secretary Su, you would have a nominee who not only brings diversity to your cabinet but is also the most qualified person for the job. As the only candidate who has advised on labor policy at the executive level and run a labor agency, Secretary Su is a strong woman of color who is eminently qualified to take on the responsibility as U.S. Secretary of Labor. She has an extensive career that has been dedicated to the advancement of workers’ rights, fair labor practices, and advancing equity and opportunities for workers. Secretary Su was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom and assumed her current position in January 2019, following eight years leading California’s wage and hour enforcement. She has spearheaded statewide efforts to combat wage theft and worker retaliation, oversee both worker compensation and unemployment insurance, and protect the health and safety of working Californians.”
And they conclude by saying, “The appointment of Secretary Su to lead the United States Department of Labor would send a clear message to Americans that your incoming Administration prioritizes candidates who embody integrity, competency, and diversity. We strongly encourage you to nominate Secretary Su to this position and welcome further dialogue with you and your office regarding her qualifications.”
The full text of the letter is here and below:
December 11, 2020
The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
President Elect of the United States of America
Presidential Transition Office
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President-Elect Biden,
We, as Members of Congress, write to recommend Julie Su, who currently serves as the Secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, for the Cabinet position of U.S. Secretary of Labor. Secretary Su is a daughter of immigrants who would bring a diversity of thought and experience to your cabinet. As we separate ourselves from the disastrous policies of the previous administration, it will be critically important to nominate professionally and culturally diverse individuals to your cabinet—particularly more Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs)—as you look to build an Administration that is better representative of our country and its people.
In Secretary Su, you would have a nominee who not only brings diversity to your cabinet but is also the most qualified person for the job. As the only candidate who has advised on labor policy at the executive level and run a labor agency, Secretary Su is a strong woman of color who is eminently qualified to take on the responsibility as U.S. Secretary of Labor. She has an extensive career that has been dedicated to the advancement of workers’ rights, fair labor practices, and advancing equity and opportunities for workers. Secretary Su was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom and assumed her current position in January 2019, following eight years leading California’s wage and hour enforcement. She has spearheaded statewide efforts to combat wage theft and worker retaliation, oversee both worker compensation and unemployment insurance, and protect the health and safety of working Californians.
As Labor Secretary of California during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Secretary Su is battle-tested and ready to lead on Day One:
- She has worked across executive branch agencies—including with the State Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Public Health, Housing Agency, and Office of Emergency Services—to address the myriad challenges posed by COVID-19.
- She has shepherded the adoption of health and safety guidance for workplaces and advised on state policies to protect workers and employers.
- She has navigated the State in handling record unemployment claims, ensuring millions of Californians have access to Unemployment Insurance (UI) and other forms of assistance and been a steady voice in explaining the challenges and reassuring Californians, including in various town halls with constituents; she knows what needs to be done at the national level to address many of the challenges seen across the country in UI benefit provision and to build a program that will help jobless Americans and support economic recovery.
- She has developed high road training partnerships that bring labor and management, workers and employers together to train workers for the jobs of the future.
- She has collaborated with employers hard hit by the pandemic to adjust their businesses and stay open while providing critical services in a new way.
- She is nationally recognized as one of the top labor policy experts and would be an incredible asset to your administration.
Secretary Su has exemplified her fervent commitment to tirelessly fighting for justice on behalf of the poor, the disenfranchised, and the vulnerable. Her expertise, experience and proven success have garnered support of both labor organizations and the business community alike. She embodies the diversity of thought that is necessary to advocate for complex labor issues in this incredibly dynamic political environment.
Secretary Su understands the importance of education, inclusivity, representation, and hard work. Both a Stanford University and Harvard Law graduate, Secretary Su has been the recipient of countless awards and accolades in recognition of her work as a litigator and a labor policy expert. Running the largest state labor department in the country with over 11,000 employees is no small feat, and it is clear that Secretary Julie Su is eminently qualified to fulfill the position of Labor Secretary.
The appointment of Secretary Su to lead the United States Department of Labor would send a clear message to Americans that your incoming Administration prioritizes candidates who embody integrity, competency, and diversity. We strongly encourage you to nominate Secretary Su to this position and welcome further dialogue with you and your office regarding her qualifications.
Sincerely,
Rep. Mark Takano
Sen. Tammy Duckworth
Rep. Judy Chu
Rep. Ami Bera
Rep. Doris Matsui
Rep. TJ Cox
Rep. Andy Kim
Rep. Al Green
Rep. Pete Aguilar
Rep. Grace Meng
Rep. Tony Cárdenas
Rep. Scott Peters
Rep. Zoe Lofgren
Rep. Raul Ruiz
Rep. Ted Lieu
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