Duckworth, Hirono back off threat of opposing Biden nominees in push for AAPI representation

Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., had told reporters Tuesday she would not support any more of President Joe Biden's nondiverse nominees until he appoints more Asian Americans to his Cabinet.

But she, and Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, dropped that ultimatum late Tuesday after multiple conversations with White House officials and agreement about representation.

Biden's Cabinet — which is shaping up to be the most diverse in U.S. history – does not include a Cabinet secretary of Asian American or Pacific Islander descent. Every presidential Cabinet since 2000 has included an Asian American at the secretary level until now.

Duckworth had told reporters that when she brought up this issue in the past — and most recently Monday night — White House officials had responded by pointing to Kamala Harris' role as vice president, which is part of the Cabinet. Harris is the first African American and South Asian American woman to be elected vice president.

'Insulting and frustrating': Community leaders decry lack of Asian Americans in Biden's top Cabinet picks

Duckworth, who was born in Thailand, said the notion the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders community doesn't "need anybody else is insulting."

"That is not something you would say to the Black caucus, 'Well, you have Kamala, we're not going to put any more African Americans in the Cabinet because you have Kamala.' Why would you say it to AAPI?" Duckworth asked.