Julie Su’s Senate Confirmation Hearing for Labor Secretary Nomination to Test Closely Divided Senate

President Joe Biden’s nomination of Julie Su to be the next labor secretary is in jeopardy as she prepares to testify at her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday. Su, a civil rights attorney and the current deputy labor secretary, is the daughter of an immigrant mother who arrived on a cargo ship. She would be the first Asian American in the Biden administration to serve in the Cabinet.

Su is expected to face opposition from Republicans and possibly from some senators who caucus with Democrats once the nomination makes its way to the Senate floor. A handful of moderate Democrats have not publicly stated whether they’ll vote for Su’s nomination ahead of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Su is the acting labor secretary and was nominated by Biden to replace Marty Walsh, who stepped down this year to lead the National Hockey League Players Association. If confirmed, Su would be the first Asian American to serve in the Cabinet in the Biden administration.

The Senate confirmation hearing for Su is set to take place Thursday, and it is unclear whether she will receive the necessary votes for confirmation. It is also uncertain how the closely divided Senate will vote on her nomination. The outcome of the hearing will be closely watched as it could have a major impact on the Biden administration’s labor policies.