04.19.23

Durbin Discusses Supporting Workers With Secretary Of Labor Nominee Julie Su

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su regarding her nomination as Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL).  During the meeting, Durbin and Su discussed the importance of investing in workforce development initiatives and apprenticeships, and concerns with retirement plans that offer investments in crypto.  In March, Durbin along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Tina Smith (D-MN) sent a letter to DOL urging the Department to expeditiously act on the announcement that it would investigate plans that offer investments in crypto.  

They also discussed a Durbin-led letter to DOL and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources that requested information following a troubling New York Times article that found that large numbers of unaccompanied non-citizen children are being placed with exploitative sponsors and working long hours in dangerous conditions.

“Deputy Secretary Su understands the ins and outs of a successful Department of Labor.  Not only does she have extensive knowledge at the federal level, but also at the state level when she served as California’s Labor Secretary.  During our meeting, we discussed a wide range of issues such as strengthening our workforce, retraining and reskilling workers, concerns with cryptocurrency, especially in retirement plans, and troubling reports of child labor exploitation,” Durbin said.  “If confirmed, I look forward to working with her to make sure we are taking care of hardworking Illinoisans and their families.”

A photo of the meeting can be found here.

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