President Biden Heeds Call from Cortez Masto and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to Nominate Julie Su as the Next U.S. Labor Secretary

Su would be the first Asian American to serve as Cabinet Secretary in the Biden Administration

Las Vegas, Nev. - Today, Senator Cortez Masto released the following statement after President Biden announced he will nominate Julie Su to be the next U.S. Labor Department Secretary. Earlier this month, Cortez Masto joined the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in urging the President to elevate Su to the Cabinet position.

"I have no doubt that Julie Su will make an excellent Labor secretary and I look forward to confirming her," said Senator Cortez Masto. "This will be a huge victory for America's Asian and Pacific Islander communities and working families. Su is a fierce champion for unions and who we need leading the U.S. Department of Labor."

The AAPI population is the fastest growing demographic in Nevada, making up about 12% of Nevada's population. Su will be the first AAPI leader to serve as a Cabinet Secretary under President Biden, making her voice and perspective invaluable to our government. The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Su currently serves as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Labor Department. Prior to that, she served as Secretary of Labor in the state of California.

The first and only Latina Senator, Senator Cortez Masto has been a strong champion for AAPI communities in Nevada and a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion. In 2020, she pushed the Biden Administration to name an AAPI nominee as Cabinet Secretary. She has introduced legislation to increase diversity in government and the private sector. The Senator has metwith AAPI leaders in Nevada to discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act will lower costs for families and create good-paying jobs in Nevada. And she has championed bipartisan legislation to address the rise of hate crimes and violence targeted at AAPI Americans.

###