Westbank Louisiana News

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, expressed his opposition to Julie Su's renomination for Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL) during a closed-door committee vote. Cassidy stated, "Since Julie Su’s first nomination hearing, the concerns over her leadership of DOL have only grown. Ms. Su has continued to build a troubling record as Acting DOL Secretary, implementing policies that promote large labor unions at the expense of workers and economic growth."

The final vote in the closed-door committee was 11 to 10, with all Republican members voting against Su's nomination. This marks the second time Cassidy has voted against Su's nomination in the HELP Committee. The nomination will now proceed to a floor vote at the discretion of the Senate Majority Leader.

Cassidy criticized HELP Committee Chair Bernie Sanders for holding the committee vote on Su behind closed doors and without a public hearing. He expressed disappointment that the committee was denied the opportunity to address their concerns directly with Su and obtain answers regarding her leadership at DOL.

Ms. Su is currently overseeing controversial policies at DOL, including the worker classification rule affecting the gig economy and the proposed overtime rule that could impact American families. There are also concerns about the mismanagement of DOL under Su's leadership, particularly regarding illegal child labor and delays in processing H-2B guest worker visas.

In light of these issues, Cassidy emphasized the importance of the HELP Committee's oversight responsibilities, stating, "The HELP Committee should have been able to address these issues directly with Ms. Su to properly conduct its constitutional duty to oversee the president’s nominees."

For more information and updates from HELP Republicans, visit their website or follow them on Twitter at @GOPHELP.