Nominee to Head DOL Advances

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced the nomination of Julie Su to head the Department of Labor Feb. 27 by an 11-10 party-line vote. Su was first nominated last year, but Democratic leadership failed to get a Seante confirmation vote.

Insurers, including NAMIC member companies, are concerned about the recent activities of the DOL, which has proposed rules concerning fiduciary investments and independent contractors. These rules have been promoted by Su, and NAMIC has filed comments in opposition of these proposals.

Su’s acting position expired at the end of last year, and President Biden renominated her to serve as Labor secretary. No Republicans supported her confirmation as deputy labor secretary in 2021, and in July, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and other moderate Democrats indicated their lack of support for Su. To be confirmed by the Senate, Su would need at least 50 senators and Vice President Kamala Harris to cast a tiebreaking vote.