Following President Joe Biden's renomination of Julie Su for the position of U.S. Secretary of Labor, Sen. Mazie Hirono has issued a statement in support. The senator has previously advocated for Su's confirmation to this role.
According to a news release, Sen. Hirono first championed the confirmation of Su as U.S. Secretary of Labor in 2020 through a letter and continued her advocacy in May, July, and December. In the January 8 news release, Hirono stated, "Throughout her career, Acting Secretary Su has been a strong and effective champion for working people and families across the country—work she has continued at the Department of Labor. As Acting Secretary, she has played a critical role supporting workers—mediating several high-profile labor disputes and helping find consensus to move our country and our economy forward. Her work as Acting Secretary has been praised by business and labor leaders alike. Now is the time for the Senate to confirm her as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor, so she can continue building upon the Biden-Harris Administration’s progress supporting workers, businesses, and our economy."
Su's biography with the Department of Labor reveals that she was confirmed as deputy secretary of labor in July 2021 and became acting secretary of labor in March 2023. Prior to assuming this role, she served as chief operating officer for the department. Before joining the department, Su was secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency which enforces workplace laws, addresses wage theft issues, ensures worker safety on job sites among other responsibilities. She held California's labor commissioner position for seven years during which time she launched a campaign in 2014 aimed at educating low-wage workers and their employers about workers’ rights.
Su successfully cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in April 2023 according to an Associated Press report.