Sens. Hirono, Duckworth drop threat to block Biden nominees

Two Democratic senators who threatened to block President Biden’s cabinet nominees over lack of Asian representation backed off their ultimatum after the White House agreed to appoint a senior liaison to address the lack of diversity.

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) wrote on Twitter late Tuesday that she would continue voting to confirm Biden’s “historic and highly qualified nominees” after having a private conversation with the president.

“I welcome the appointment of a senior level White House liaison to the AAPI community to further strengthen our voice. I had a productive conversation with the White House today to make clear my perspective about the importance of diversity in the President’s cabinet,” wrote Hirono, who was born in Japan.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) issued a similar statement through her spokesman late Tuesday. “Sen. Duckworth appreciates the Biden administration’s assurances that it will do much more to elevate [Asian-American, Pacific Islander] voices and perspectives at the highest levels of government,” said her communications director, Ben Garmisa.

The Illinois senator, who is of Thai descent, had announced earlier Tuesday that she would vote “no” to any nondiverse judicial or administrative picks until the White House addresses the fact that there’s not a single Asian-American in the president’s 15-member executive agency cabinet.

Hirono quickly followed suit and said she would join Duckworth in voting against any “nondiversity” Biden picks.

The short-lived boycott threatened to cause major problems for the Biden administration. The Senate is split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, and two Democratic defections could’ve allowed GOP members to block Biden nominees.