Duckworth, Hirono vow to oppose Biden picks over diversity concerns

The Hill ^ | 3/23/21 | Jordain Carney

[Libloather]

Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) say they will vote against President Biden's nominees amid frustration over the lack of Asian American and Pacific Islander representation and broader concerns about diversity in his Cabinet.

While most of Biden's core Cabinet picks have already been confirmed, the opposition could be a significant hurdle to getting additional executive or judicial branch nominations through the 50-50 Senate, where the support of every Democrat is needed if Republicans line up against a nominee.

Duckworth first told reporters on Tuesday that she had informed the White House she would oppose any "non-diversity" nominees until she gets a commitment from the executive branch for more high-ranking Asian American nominations.

"I am a 'no' vote, on the floor, on all non-diversity nominees. ... I will vote for racial minorities and LGBTQ but anybody else, I'm not voting for," said Duckworth, who is one of two Asian American senators.

Duckworth pointed to the top Office of Management and Budget (OMB) role, which doesn't have a nominee after the White House pulled Neera Tanden's nomination, as well as the head of the Federal Communications Commission as positions where she is focused on lobbying the administration.

The Illinois Democrat said the White House could also "make a commitment for a future Cabinet secretary, an actual Cabinet secretary."

[Libloather]

Isn't Swalwell's girlfriend available?

[Bonemaker]

Mazie Horrorno.

[untenured]

In a way it’s good that the senator has come out and explicitly said that non-whites, including white women one supposes, will not be approved. There is no question of competence, or even ideological conformity. Genes are everything.

The shape of things to come.

[OttawaFreeper]

Bet Orville Redenbacher is somewhere watching all of this a touch jealous that he can’t rake in the popcorn sales himself over all of this, lol.

[griswold3]

Meow. Cat fight!

[KC_Conspirator]

Diversity my rear. Both of them voted against Ben Carson. So much for that.

[GreyFriar]

Once again race over competency and character.

[Political Junkie Too]

My guess is that many campaign ads are being put together as we speak.

-PJ

[Apparatchik]

Tammy wants her token!

[cdcdawg]

Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)

Retard Twins powers ... ACTIVATE!!

[Michael.SF.]

I am in full support of these two proceeding on this basis. Anytime a DemonRat stands up and proclaims to the nation that they are a total idiot is deserving of our encouragement.

[matt04]

Oh noes. Xiden is about to discover he isn’t woke enough anymore. This should be fun.

[Vehmgericht]

What’s a Duckworth?

[Hypo2]

Biden should be able to find enough Chinese/CCP names in Hunter’s contact list.

[SunkenCiv]

"I will vote for racial minorities and LGBTQ but anybody else, I'm not voting for," said Duckworth

IOW, she's discriminating based on sexual orientation and/or race, and is unfit for office. Plus, she and Hazy Morono are unfit because of their party affiliation and their past behavior.

[simpson96]

Irresponsible maniacs.

[ZOOKER]

Do I see some cracks in the Democratic monolith?
With the Senate deadlocked at 50-50, a "gang of two" is enough.
< snicker >

[Republican Wildcat]

"I am a 'no' vote, on the floor, on all non-diversity nominees. ... I will vote for racial minorities and LGBTQ but anybody else, I'm not voting for," said Duckworth, who is one of two Asian American senators.

So she openly admits she will be voting for or against nominees based on their race. She's a racist.

[DuncanWaring]

I see what you did there.

You quack me up.

[ridesthemiles]

Reverse Discrimination....