At a fiery U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing, Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su staunchly defended her role at the U.S. Department of Labor and the agency’s recent rulemaking activities against sharp criticism from Republican members. The hearing, focusing on the DOL’s policies and the nearly $14 billion budget request by President Joe Biden, became a battleground over Su’s status as both acting secretary and nominee for labor secretary.
Acting Labor Sec. Defends Status, Rules At Tense Hearing: Confrontations and Defense
Republican critics, like Rep. Aaron Bean from Florida, accused Su of exploiting a “Su loophole” by remaining acting secretary without Senate confirmation. Su countered, asserting, “It’s not a loophole at all, sir.” This was supported by Democrats such as Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, who cited a Government Accountability Office decision affirming Su’s eligibility to serve, praising her “pro-worker regulatory agenda.”
However, Republican dissatisfaction was palpable. Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri charged Su with disrespecting both the Constitution and the Senate by continuing to serve, deeming her an “illegitimate secretary.” Amidst these accusations, Rep. Kevin Kiley of California demanded her resignation, claiming that any DOL actions under her were “under a legal cloud.”
