Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) said Tuesday that she was standing down on her pledge to oppose the Biden administration’s nominations in the Senate after assurances from the White House that it would do more to increase Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in the government.
In a statement obtained by NBC News, Duckworth’s spokesman said that the senator “appreciates the Biden administration’s assurances that it will do much more to elevate AAPI voices,” while adding that she would not oppose the administration’s “qualified” nominees.
The Hill has reached out to Duckworth’s office for comment.
Duckworth and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said earlier Tuesday that they would vote against any “non-diversity” nominees until the White House provided a plan to expand representation for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in government following the White House’s withdrawal of Neera Tanden to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).