U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate floor expressing concern over the nomination of Department of Labor (DOL) Deputy Secretary Julie Su to be Secretary of DOL. This comes after President Biden formally sent her nomination to the Senate on March 14th.

Specifically, Cassidy criticized a proposed DOL rule released under Su’s leadership that would limit Americans’ ability to classify themselves as independent contractors and set their own hours. He also raised concerns over Su’s tenure as Secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, where she oversaw the implementation of AB 5, a law that removed the flexibility of individuals to work as independent contractors. 

“Deputy Secretary Su has a troubling record and is currently overseeing the Department of Labor’s development of anti-worker regulations that will dismantle the gig economy,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This does not inspire confidence in her current position, let alone inspire confidence that she should be promoted.”

“The priority of the Biden administration should not be whatever makes it easier to forcibly and coercively unionize workers while undermining the business model of the establishments they work for. It should be to increase individual freedom and opportunity,” continued Dr. Cassidy. “Su’s record now and in her previous position as Secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency deserves scrutiny. I look forward to a full review and hearing process for her nomination.

Original source can be found here.