The nomination of Julie Su to become the next secretary of labor could depend on three centrist senators who expressed support for her in the past but fear President Joe Biden‘s nominees are heading too far to the left — a stance they aim to separate themselves from heading into the 2024 election.
Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and Jon Tester (D-MT) are three roadblocks standing in the way of Su assuming the Cabinet position. Despite throwing support behind Su in 2021, when she was nominated and confirmed as deputy labor secretary under now-departing Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, the trio has either kept silent on her nomination or secretly expressed concern to the White House over her appointment.
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Su’s nomination could fall victim to recent moves from senators such as Manchin, Sinema, and Tester, all facing a tough reelection in 2024, who have recently been more willing to take a step away from the Biden administration when it comes to several hot-button policy areas, such as crime and ESG spending or disputable nominees.
The senators are likely to spend time during their reelection campaigns presenting themselves as a centrist voice in the Senate that can rein in left-leaning policies supported by lawmakers and politicians such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Biden.
Manchin is the only one of the three to have reportedly quietly expressed his concerns to Biden over Su’s nomination, according to the Washington Post. While Su is facing backlash from the business community and tech industry for supporting measures that they believe hurt worker independence and consumer choice, the United Mine Workers of America endorsed Su on Friday, stating she made significant strides in caring for “worker safety and health.”
The coalition has a heavy presence in West Virginia, which could end up influencing Manchin’s vote. Several other minority-owned small businesses have also endorsed Su.
In 2021, Manchin supported Su’s nomination for deputy. She was appointed after the vote barely passed the Senate, 50-47, after months of delays.
In March, though, Manchin said the reason he supported Su back then was that Walsh was in the top seat.
“I had Marty Walsh,” Manchin told NBC News, adding he wants someone like Walsh in the position going forward. “I am looking for a Marty Walsh.”
The confirmation vote is set for Thursday, and all 49 Republicans are expected to vote against Su’s nomination. Doing so tightens Senate Democrats’ chances of passing her nomination. Sen. John Fetterman’s (D-PA) return alleviates some, but not all, of the pressure. Both he and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) were out for health reasons. Feinstein remains out of office.
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If Manchin and another Democrat, such as Tester or Sinema, side with Republicans, Su will join two other Biden nominees who either failed to be accepted or were forced to withdraw.
Sinema has not commented on Su’s nomination after requests from multiple outlets, with her aides saying she never previews her votes. Tester’s spokesperson said the Montana senator is reviewing Su’s record. Both senators supported Su’s nomination for deputy labor secretary in 2021.
