DOL Secretary of Labor Nominee: Julie Su

Hon. Julie Su
Nominated to be the Secretary of Labor
Nomination announced: February 28, 2023

Julie Su is the Deputy Secretary of Labor and Acting Secretary of Labor since the March 10, 2023 resignation of former labor Secretary Marty Walsh.  Prior to service in the Biden administration, Su was the California Labor Secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom.

Su championed California’s A.B. 5 legislation that has had devastating effects on independent contractors and freelancers in the Golden State. More on A.B. 5 from I4AW: Warnings from California, the harms of attacking entrepreneurship and freelancing.  Since joining the Biden administration Su has been supportive of a similar rework of federal independent contractor rules that threatens independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers nationwide.

Nomination Status: Julie Su was re-nominated to be Secretary of Labor on January 8, 2024. She was first nominated to be secretary in 2022. That nomination, however, was pending before the Senate for 281 days before expiring at the end of the 2023 session of Congress with the Senate unable to confirm her for the position. Senate HELP Committee ranking member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has urged President Biden to choose a different nominee, noting “Ms. Su lacks the necessary votes for confirmation.”

Additional Resource

OPINION: Labor Department rule would hurt financial services workers, consumers alike
July 10, 2023, Washington Times
by Rowan Saydlowski

OPINION: Biden Doubles Down on California Blundering with Julie Su Nomination
April 15, 2023, Townhall.com
F. Vincent Vernuccio, I4AW