Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on Wednesday said he would accept the role of Labor Secretary in Biden’s Cabinet.
“If I had a portfolio that allowed me to stand up and fight for working families, would I do it?” Sanders told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. “Yes, I would.”
Asked if it is true that he is eying the job for Labor Secretary, Sanders said, “What’s true is I want to do everything I can to protect the working families of this country who are under tremendous duress right now.”
“Whether that’s in the Senate, whether that’s in the Biden administration, who knows,” Sanders added. “Well, let’s see how that unfolds.”
Sanders according to CNN sources in seeking the support of top labor leaders to ramp up a campaign for the position of the Secretary. Vermont Senator’s push comes at a time when the fight over the key cabinet position intensifies.
A longtime senior labor leader on Tuesday talking to CNN confirmed that Sanders has personally lobbied with union chiefs and asked for backing but his attempts attracted mixed reactions. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka who is among those Sanders has contacted endorses Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for the post, according to the senior labor leader. Michigan Representative. Andy Levin, a Democrat who is a popular progressive has also asked union leadership to support him including the Communications Workers of America.
Bern in public statements and in an interview with CNN before the election spoke about his intentions to make a push from inside the Senate for progressive legislation to Biden’s desk. But poor performance of the Democratic Senate challengers may have complicated the plan. In order to gain a majority in the house, the caucus will likely need to clinch both of the January run-off contests in Georgia.
The President-elect is picking up his cabinet most notably his chief of Staff without drawing a concession from the incumbent President. The Republican’s administration has so far refused to clear a key paper needed to start a formal transition. Trump claiming the voter fraud is not ready to provide support and assistance required for the transition.
