Senator Joe Manchin, DW.Va., told the Biden administration he had deep reservations about Julie Sue, prompting President Biden to appoint Julie Sue as labor secretary, according to people familiar with the matter. is in serious jeopardy.

Important reasons: For Biden, the ruthless and difficult math of a divided Senate means Manchin’s opposition, coupled with another Democratic defection, will undermine Sue’s chances.

• It reflects how a small number of Democrats, facing a tough 2024 reelection race, resisted being seen as a rubber stamp for Biden.
• Two previous Biden candidates, Gigi Song, who vacated the FCC seat, and Phil Washington, who will head the Federal Aviation Administration, have resigned. After Democrats voiced their opposition.
• The 49 Republicans in the 100-seat Senate are expected to uniformly oppose Sue. Democratic senators who support Sue fear that Arizona Senator Kirsten Sinema will also vote against her, but she said no.

Big picture: With Senate Democrats facing a difficult map in 2024, vulnerable senators such as Manchin, Cinema and John Tester (D-Mont) are looking for ways to create political space away from Biden.According to a poll Real Clear Politics Poll Average.

• Su’s nomination is also at the forefront of the ongoing war between unions and corporate interests over how best to protect workers’ rights while fostering a dynamic economy.
• She was barely confirmed early in Biden’s term as a deputy for then-Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who resigned earlier this year to head the NHL’s players’ union.
• like they did in the house Pre-confirmation battleRepublicans plan to focus on more than $30 billion in unemployment benefits. scammed criminals in california She headed the state labor committee.

News promotion: Ahead of Su’s committee confirmation hearings on April 20, Biden officials and their Democrat backers are recruiting senators to gauge support for Su.

What they say: White House spokesperson Emily Simmons said, “Julie is a worker advocate. “Our administration now includes elected officials, labor leaders, key stakeholders and business groups. We are involved with a wide range of coalitions that support the nomination of Jury.”

• Spokesmen for Manchin and Cinema declined to comment.

Line spacing: Some West Virginia union voters are pressuring Manchin to back Sue when Biden effectively kills the nomination of Neela Tanden to head the Office of Management and Budget in 2021. than makes the politics of his home state more complicated.

• Sue’s track record as California’s Labor Commissioner and her support for AB5, California’s bill to pressure companies to treat gig workers like full-time employees, has been a major success in small business and big tech. won her critics.
• The strength of Mr. Manchin’s concerns about Mr. Su’s nomination, well known among his Senate colleagues, is partly reflected in his public statements.
• Last month, he said, “I had Marty Walsh,” explaining his vote for Sue as deputy secretary of labor. in top position Then — suggesting that he was fine with Sue in the second slot of labor, but not as a secretary.

What we see: Many Democrats fear that cinema’s newfound independence, and a progressive challenge from Rep. I am concerned that there will be little room to stand on the left side of the .

Be smart: The White House always knew this was going to be a dogfight and befall Manchin and Cinema.

• Government officials have privately admitted that there is work to be done. But they haven’t given up hope.