Democrats back down after threat to block Biden picks in anger at lack of Asian American officials

Senators take back ultimatum after assurance from White House it will elevate voices from the community

File image: Tammy Duckworth says she will not vote against Biden’s nominee following “assurances” from the White House on better AAPI representation (Getty Images)

Two Democratic senators, who had expressed their anger over the lack of nominees of Asian American descent in the Biden administration, backed down after an assurance from the White House of elevating voices from the community.

Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, the first congresswomen of Thai descent, had raised the issue of the lack of Asian American diversity in president Joe Biden’s pick of cabinet secretaries. She said it was “unacceptable” and vowed to oppose Mr Biden’s nominees on the floor “until they figure this out.”

Ms Duckworth issued a statement through her spokesperson Ben Garmisa saying that she received “assurances” from the White House that it would elevate Asian American voices in the government.

White House would also appoint a senior Asian American official "to represent the community," secure confirmation for Asian American nominees, and back policies important to the Asian American community, according to the statement.

"Accordingly, she will not stand in the way of President Biden’s qualified nominees — which will include more AAPI leaders," Mr Garmisa said.

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Ms Duckworth told CNN earlier that she felt the White House’s attempts to brush off her worries about Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in the administration were insulting.

"To be told that you have Kamala Harris, we are very proud of her, you don’t need anybody else, is insulting," Ms Duckworth said, adding she’s been told that "multiple times" by the White House.

In a 50-50 Senate, Ms Duckworth’s opposition could be a major worry for Democrats.

Another senator, Mazie Hirono from Hawaii, had also threatened to vote against Mr Biden’s nominations after she declared on Tuesday "I am prepared to join" Ms Duckworth in a bid to demand more representation for AAPI secretaries. 

"This is not about pitting one diversity group against another," Ms Hirono told MSNBC. "I think this is a well-articulated, focused position."

However, she backed down as well after a “productive: conversation with the White House where the Biden administration agreed to add a senior Asian American and Pacific Islander liaison and its pledge to elevate diverse voices to the highest levels of government.”

Mr Biden was asked on Tuesday about the threats from senators, to which he said: “We have the most diverse Cabinet in history. We have a lot of Asian Americans that are in the Cabinet and in sub-Cabinet levels.”