The Senate sent back more than 50 nominations to President Joe Biden as it wrapped its work for 2023 on Wednesday, most notably that of acting Labor Secretary Julie Su.
Those nominees will have to be resubmitted by the president and begin the Senate confirmation process anew, since the chamber didn’t approve them within the calendar year. The positions range from Cabinet-level posts like Su’s to appeals court judicial nominees to ambassadors, but also less visible roles like ones on the Merit Systems Protection Board and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
“It is clear Ms. Su lacks the necessary votes for confirmation,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee. “I urge President Biden to put forward a nominee who is committed to fair enforcement of our nation’s labor laws and is capable of being confirmed in the Senate.”
Nominees must begin to decide whether to embark again on a confirmation process that, for many, has already taken years. David Uejio, who had his nomination returned to the president, was first nominated for a role at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in June 2021.
Despite already having been confirmed as surgeon general in the Biden administration, Vivek Murthy’s nomination for U.S. representative on the World Health Organization’s executive board will have to be resubmitted.
What did they do? Lawmakers cleared a handful of positions, such as an ambassador to Guatemala and a deputy director for the Peace Corps. They also approved several reappointments to various roles and a handful of inspectors general.
Oh, and they passed a resolution congratulating the Columbus Crew for winning the 2023 Major League Soccer Cup.
