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Manchin said in a statement the labor secretary "should have the
experience to collaboratively lead both labor and industry to
forge compromises acceptable to both parties" and added he had
concerns that "Su's more progressive background prevents her
from doing this."
President Joe Biden nominated Su, a civil rights lawyer and
former California labor commissioner who has served as a deputy
labor secretary since 2021, to become labor secretary in
February. Su previously served as California's labor secretary.
She was tapped to replace Marty Walsh, who left the post in
March to become head of the National Hockey League players'
union. Su became acting secretary when Walsh stepped down.
Democrats narrowly control the Senate 51-49 with the support of
three independents. No Republicans have endorsed Su. If both
Manchin and Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who switched from being a
Democrat to an independent in December, oppose Su, she would not
be able to win confirmation without Republican support.
A White House official said Biden and his aides continued to
fight for Su's confirmation because she is "highly-qualified,
experienced, and has proven herself time and time again when it
comes to delivering for America's workers and our economy."
"The president's support for Acting Secretary Su is unwavering,
and we hope Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema reconsider their
position," the White House official added.
Asked if she had taken a position on Su, a spokesperson for
Sinema said the senator "doesn't preview her votes."
Last month, Su helped negotiate a crucial contract deal between
U.S. West Coast seaport employers and the union representing
22,000 workers.
Su's nomination has been pending since a Senate committee voted
along party lines in April to advance her nomination.
Senator Bernie Sanders, who chaired Su's confirmation hearing,
said earlier she is "prepared to take on powerful special
interests and stand up for the needs of the working class of
this country."
(Reporting by Rami Ayyub, Nandita Bose and David Shepardson;
Editing by Kanishka Singh and Jamie Freed)
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