Senate Republicans are raising concerns and requesting clarification from the Biden administration regarding the inclusion of Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su in the presidential line of succession. The frustration stems from the fact that Su’s nomination to the role was never confirmed by the Senate. In a letter to President Biden, Republican senators expressed their “grave concerns” and questioned the administration’s belief that Su is eligible to assume the presidency based on the presidential line of succession established by Congress in 1947.
The letter, signed by 30 Republican senators, highlights the lack of support for Su’s confirmation from both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate. Despite this, the Biden administration has chosen to keep Su in place as Acting Secretary of Labor indefinitely and has listed her on the White House website as a member of the Cabinet in the order of succession to the presidency.
Republicans argue that the inclusion of Su in the presidential line of succession disregards congressional intent and potentially violates the law. They point to the 25th Amendment, which grants Congress the power to set the presidential line of succession beyond the Vice President. The senators emphasize that Su’s failure to be confirmed by the Senate and her lack of elected or approved status make it unimaginable for her to be eligible for the presidency.
Senator Katie Britt, a Republican from Alabama, expressed her concerns about the Biden administration’s unilateral actions and disregard for congressional approval in appointing Su as Acting Secretary of Labor. She called on President Biden to clarify whether someone who has not been elected or approved by the people’s elected representatives can assume the presidency.
The Republican senators also urged President Biden to withdraw Su’s nomination and put forward a new nominee for Secretary of Labor who can garner bipartisan support for confirmation. Su’s nomination had previously faced backlash from both Republicans and Democrats, and she was never confirmed to the role. She has been serving as the acting secretary of Labor since the resignation of Marty Walsh in March.
Critics of Su have accused her of stonewalling requests for information and being vague in her responses to inquiries. Republicans have specifically raised concerns about her support for more regulations on gig work in California and a memo she sent as the state’s labor secretary instructing state employees not to cooperate with ICE officials in search of undocumented migrants.
While Su’s nomination was narrowly approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, it has not received a vote by the full Senate, where confirmation is unlikely. The letter from Senate Republicans to President Biden was signed by several prominent Republican senators, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate GOP Whip John Thune.
The frustration expressed by Senate Republicans underscores their discontent with the Biden administration’s approach to governance and its disregard for congressional approval. The ongoing debate over Su’s eligibility for the presidential line of succession raises questions about the administration’s adherence to constitutional principles and its willingness to work with Congress.
