Republican HELP Members Demand Meeting With Labor Nominee Su

GOP senators on the committee that will be vetting Julie Su’s nomination to lead the US Department of Labor say they haven’t been able to set up a meeting with her before she’s due to appear before the panel.

In a letter sent to Su this week, eight Republicans said they were “disappointed” that their staff members on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee had been unable to schedule an in-person interview with her prior to her confirmation hearing scheduled for April 20.

“We hope that a nominee for Secretary of Labor would be willing to answer questions from the Senate committee with which he or she will work closely. It is essential that you engage with the HELP Committee, including minority members, as we consider your nomination,” the Republicans wrote in the April 12 letter obtained by Bloomberg Law.

“A decision to refuse a Committee interview would not instill confidence that you will be transparent or accountable as Secretary of Labor. Therefore, we ask that you make yourself available to committee staff when requested,” they said.

The signatories include Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), who have crossed the aisle on nominations in the past and could be key votes for Su’s confirmation.

Representatives for the DOL and the White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.