HELP Committee Votes to Advance Labor and Education Nominees Julie Su, Cindy Marten, James Kvaal
Deputy Secretary of Labor nominee Julie Su advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 13-9
Deputy Secretary of Education nominee Cindy Marten advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 14-8
Under Secretary of Education nominee James Kvaal advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 19-3
Senator Murray: “We saw at our hearings that these nominees are all well-qualified for the roles and prepared for the work ahead.”
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee advanced the nominations of Julie Su to be Deputy Secretary of Labor by a bipartisan vote of 13-9, Cindy Marten to be Deputy Secretary of Education by a bipartisan vote of 14-8, and James Kvaal to be Under Secretary of Education by a bipartisan vote of 19-3. Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the HELP Committee, reiterated her strong support for the nominees, highlighting their experience and their commitment to fighting for workers, students, and educators across the country.
In addition to every Democrat on the Committee, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted to advance the nomination of Julie Su; Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Collins, and Murkowski voted to advance the nomination of Cindy Marten, and Senators Burr, Collins, Murkowski, Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tim Scott (R-SC), Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) voted to advance the nomination of James Kvaal.
“We saw at our hearings that these nominees are all well-qualified for the roles and prepared for the work ahead,” said Senator Murray at the mark-up. “So I urge all of my colleagues to vote to advance their nominations.”
Senator Murray held a hearing to consider the nomination of Julie Su on March 16, where she highlighted Secretary Su’s long history of fighting for workers as a labor lawyer, California Labor Commissioner, and later as California Secretary of Labor.
At the hearing, Senator Murray noted, “Julie Su’s experience leading one of the largest state labor departments in the nation, her decades-long commitment to fighting for workers’ rights—and her personal story as the multilingual daughter of Chinese immigrants—have given her the experience, background, and values to be a successful Deputy Secretary of Labor.”
Senator Murray held a hearing to consider the nomination of Cindy Marten on March 24, where she highlighted her long record as a champion for students and noted her decades of experience as an educator and administrator.
At the hearing, Senator Murray noted, “Between her decades of experience as an educator and administrator, and her record fighting for students—it’s clear Superintendent Marten is an excellent choice to help Secretary Cardona, and that as Deputy Secretary of Education, she would be a champion for students.”
Senator Murray held a hearing to consider the nomination of James Kvaal on April 15, where she highlighted his extensive experience—at the Department of Education, the Obama Domestic Policy Council, and as President of The Institute for College Access and Success—working to build a more equitable higher education system for students.
At the hearing, Senator Murray noted, “I have no doubt that when confirmed, Mr. Kvaal will fight for students, and against special interests—because it’s what he has always done. Mr. Kvaal’s record shows he is clearly qualified to serve as Under Secretary of Education, and I’m pleased to support his nomination.”