FILE - In this May 6, 2020, file photo, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Duckworth says the lack of Asian American or Pacific Islander representation in President Joe Biden’s cabinet is “not acceptable” and is threatening to withhold her vote on key nominations until the administration addresses the matter. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP)
March 23, 2021- 11:25 p.m
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) said Tuesday that she was standing down on her pledge to oppose the Biden administration’s nominations in the Senate after assurances from the White House that it would do more to increase Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in the government.
In a statement obtained by NBC News, Duckworth’s spokesman said that the senator “appreciates the Biden administration’s assurances that it will do much more to elevate AAPI voices,” while adding that she would not oppose the administration’s “qualified” nominees.
Duckworth and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said earlier Tuesday that they would vote against any “non-diversity” nominees until the White House provided a plan to expand representation for AAPI persons in government following the White House’s withdrawal of Neera Tanden to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
“I’m happy to vote for a Hispanic, a Black person, an LGBTQ person, an AAPI person. I’d just like to see more diversity representation,” said the Hawaii Democrat.
The two Democrats could have caused a major headache for the White House in a divided 50-50 Senate, where nominations to which Republicans opposed would easily be stymied by the pair’s “no” votes.
