Business Leaders Urge Swift Confirmation of Julie Su as Labor Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold a nomination hearing for Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su to be the next Secretary of Labor.

Ahead of today’s hearing, business leaders are expressing for Deputy Secretary Su’s historic nomination.

National Business Leaders:

The Coalition on Inclusive Economic Growth, including the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program; B Lab U.S. & Canada; Change Finance, PBC; Florida for Good; Oxfam America; Pacific Community Ventures; PolicyLink; Project Equity; Social Finance; and U.S. Impact Investing Alliance:

“The Coalition on Inclusive Economic Growth writes in strong support of Julie Su’s nomination to be Secretary of the Department of Labor.”

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“Deputy Secretary Su helped develop and rollout the Department’s Good Jobs Initiative to help ensure that investments from historic, bipartisan legislation such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and the CHIPS and Science Act generate jobs that are good paying, sustainable and accessible to all. She also helped oversee the Department’s new rule enabling ERISA fiduciaries to consider environmental, social and governance risk factors when managing retirement plans, which is critically important. This is exactly the kind of leader our country needs now; someone with a track record of results in a position to affect large scale change to allow businesses, private investors, and the capital markets to better contribute to the prosperity of workers and communities. 

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“Deputy Secretary Su has proven she is the right person to be the next Secretary of Labor, committed to helping foster an inclusive economic system for all Americans.”

A dozen diverse business organizations, including the African American Alliance of CDFI; National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship; National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB); National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC); Pacific Community Ventures; Prosperity Now; Operation HOPE; Small Business for America’s Future; Snowy Mountain Development Corporation; Snowy Mountain Development Regional Port Authority; United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC); and Women Impacting Public Policy:

“[We support] … the nomination and swift confirmation of Deputy Secretary Julie Su to serve as the next Secretary of Labor. 

“She has played a critical role in shepherding the Good Jobs Initiative and implementing important economic legislation such as the CHIPS and Science Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Her efforts are ensuring that the benefits of these laws are accessible to the small business community.

“Deputy Secretary Su has established herself as a strong leader for workers as she’s led the U.S. Department of Labor alongside Secretary Marty Walsh. In her time as Deputy Secretary, and now Acting Secretary, Su has overseen several unprecedented workforce challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages and disruptions to the supply chain which challenged both workers and employers to continue running businesses. Furthermore, her confirmation would make her the first Cabinet Secretary of AAPI descent to serve in the Biden Administration.

“Deputy Secretary Su is the daughter of Chinese immigrants and small business owners, and understands the unique challenges that small businesses deal with on a daily basis to scale, and keep their doors open. 

“It is clear that the Deputy Secretary possesses the experience necessary to lead the Department of Labor at a critical time both for workers and businesses, and to meet the needs of the workforce of the future.

Over 20 groups representing Asian and Pacific Islander American businesses in communities across the country, including National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE); ACE NextGen; Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia (AACCGP) ; Asian American Executive Network; Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC); Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois; Asian Business Association; Asian Chamber of Commerce Colorado; Asian Chamber of Commerce Houston; Asian Chamber of Texas; Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders; California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber); Central Florida International Chamber of Commerce (CFICC); Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles; Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA); Filipino Chamber of the Pacific Northwest (FCCPNW); Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce; Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC); International Leadership Foundation (ILF); Intramuros Community Development Partners; New American Business Association; Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR); and the US-China Chamber of Commerce, Dallas (USCCC).

“We write to you on behalf of the Asian American Pacific Islander small business and entrepreneurial community to express our support for Deputy Secretary Julie Su’s nomination to serve as the next Secretary of Labor. Su is the daughter of Chinese immigrants and small business owners, and is now being considered to serve in the President’s Cabinet. She’s a living example of the American Dream which so many who immigrate to this country strive for, for themselves and their children, offering her a perspective that is necessary to address workforce challenges and lead on labor policies. 

“For the last two and a half years, Deputy Secretary Su has led the Department of Labor alongside Secretary Walsh and possesses the skills, experience and expertise necessary to continue the important work started under Secretary Walsh’s tenure. In this time, she has overseen seismic shifts in US labor, stemming from a global pandemic and ongoing impacts of the pandemic. 

“If confirmed, she would be the first person of AAPI descent to serve as a Cabinet Secretary in the Biden Administration… we believe that it is crucial for AAPIs to have greater representation at the Cabinet level, particularly among leaders that deal directly with workforce issues.

Rhett Buttle, Senior Advisor, Small Business for America’s Future:

“The small business community is pleased with the nomination of Julie Su as Labor Secretary. Her background as deputy secretary and her support for workers make her an excellent candidate for the role.

"To ensure an equitable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, we need high-quality jobs, and Julie Su is committed to creating them. This will contribute to our economy's ongoing recovery from the pandemic-related challenges, as we are already witnessing easing inflation, robust hiring, and a surge in new small business starts. Confirming Su as Labor Secretary will help maintain this positive momentum and support the needs of small businesses and workers alike.

"Su played a crucial role in implementing the Good Jobs Initiative, guaranteeing that jobs created by significant economic legislation, such as the CHIPS and Science Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are accessible, well-paying, and free from discrimination.

"We urge the U.S. Senate to swiftly approve her nomination, supporting the growth and success of small businesses."

Tammy Halevy, Executive Director, Reimagine Main Street:

 “The past two years have been the strongest period of new business formation on record in the United States, with more than 10.5 million new applications filed. Latino and Black entrepreneurs are launching businesses at high rates. Twelve million jobs have been created, including over 800,000 manufacturing jobs. GDP is growing, and unemployment is at the lowest rate in nearly 50 years. 

“Deputy Secretary Su has played a critical role in fostering this economic expansion by supporting American workers. We are confident that as Labor Secretary, she will build upon these successes and continue to deliver for American workers and the economy. 

“As we evaluate the labor market and look for opportunities to grow a stronger and more equitable economy that includes MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets, we must continue to advance good jobs, particularly among small employers. More than half of the nation’s 134 million employees work for firms with fewer than 100 employees, and low-income workers are more likely to be employed by small firms. As Reimagine Main Street and our partners work to identify scalable opportunities to improve job quality at small firms, we look forward to sharing findings and collaborating with the Department of Labor under the leadership of Julie Su."

Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce:

“The L.A. Area Chamber Board voted to support the nomination of Julie Su for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. Ms. Su has a distinguished career of being an innovative and inclusive leader. She has strengthened relationships with employers and deepened collaboration for better results. As Deputy Secretary, she understands the important work ahead. We enthusiastically support her nomination.” 

Small Business Owners:

Regina Hunley, Printer Supplies and More, Hurricane, WV:

“It is a critical moment for our country's recovery and especially important for small business owners. Fair labor practices are crucial for a thriving economy and a stable workforce. Main Street needs a Labor Secretary that fights for workers and understands the needs of small businesses. We send elected officials to maintain and ensure that our needs are looked after. Dragging their feet for political points is not in the job description! Senators need to act swiftly and confirm Julie Su. She checks every box of the job description. Make it happen!”

Carling McManus, 84 Agency, Charleston, WV:

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and Julie Su’s nomination gives me confidence that our government will work to not only support small business owners but also advance racial and economic justice for workers. Both entrepreneurs and workers deserve all the support and resources they can get including a qualified Labor Secretary.”

Walt Rowen, Susquehanna Glass, Lancaster, PA:

“Julie Su's dedication to supporting workers and fostering a fair and just economy aligns perfectly with the needs of small businesses. Her experience enforcing these practices in California demonstrates her ability to excel as Labor Secretary. Our leaders must put politics aside and prioritize the well-being of American workers and small businesses by confirming Su."

Mas Torito, Kokoro Restaurant, Denver, CO:

“Small businesses thrive when workers are treated fairly and have access to good jobs. Julie Su excelled in her role as deputy secretary and her track record of supporting workers will make her well-suited for the role. We need the Senate to confirm Julie Su.”

Kristi Tally, KD7 Enterprises, Inc., Raleigh, NC:

“Julie Su’s nomination for Labor Secretary signals strong support for small businesses and their workers. As a small business owner, I believe her confirmation would be a positive step forward for our economy. I am confident in her ability to serve with a laser focus on yielding equity in the entrepreneurial landscape. We champion her confirmation.”

Christine Chin Ryan, Synergy Consulting, Inc., Portland, OR:

“Julie Su is qualified to serve as Labor Secretary. She has spent her whole career fighting for underpaid workers and civil rights. Her father was a small business owner and her mother was a teacher in the teacher's union. I urge Senators to put the needs of workers and small businesses first and confirm her nomination. Her experience advocating for workers’ rights and implementing legislation that ensures jobs are accessible and free from discrimination makes her an excellent choice.”

Marcella Medor, MarCom, LLC, Butte, MT:

"Small business owners are the backbone of our nation's economy, and Julie Su's track record of fighting for workers while understanding the needs of small business is precisely the kind of experience we need. I urge the Senate to support her confirmation."

Paul Branner, Georgetown Butcher, Georgetown, DC:

“Though our economy is showing signs of growth, it is fragile. Small business owners like me, would like the assurance of a Labor Secretary that will support workers, understand businesses, and implement legislation that ensures jobs are accessible and free from discrimination. I urge the Senate to confirm the nomination of Julie Su.”

Michael Stiggle, Timber Wolves Restaurant, Mars Hill, ME:

“As a small business owner, I recognize the importance of fair labor practices. Julie Su's nomination gives me hope that our government will prioritize the needs of workers and small businesses alike. I urge lawmakers to move forward and support her nomination.” 

Symone Stewart, Triple A's Soul Food, Wasilla, AK:

“As a small business owner, strong labor protections are critical to our success. With Julie Su’s history of supporting workers, her nomination for Labor Secretary is a win for Main Street. I encourage the Senate to confirm her without delay.”