Duckworth, Hirono Back Off Vow to Withhold Support of Biden Nominees

Senators Tammy Duckworth and Mazie Hirono on Tuesday backed off their threat to vote against any of President Joe Biden's nominees who aren't minorities, after going public with their anger that the Cabinet lacks Asian Americans, and Duckworth earlier saying she felt insulted by the White House's attempts to brush off her concerns.

The move came after a tense Monday exchange between Duckworth and a top Biden aide, followed by a series of conversations Tuesday and ultimately a decision by the White House to install a senior-level aide responsive to...

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...