Democratic senators drop ultimatum to White House over Asian American representation

Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth late Tuesday dropped a stern ultimatum she had made in the morning to White House senior officials: She no longer will withhold votes to confirm White nominees until Asian Americans are named to more high level positions in the Biden administration. 

The reversal followed multiple conversations with White House officials and pledges from President Biden to promote diversity. "Senator Duckworth appreciates the Biden Administration's assurances that it will do much more to elevate AAPI voices and perspectives at the highest levels of government, including appointing an AAPI senior White House official to represent the community, secure the confirmation of AAPI appointments and advance policy proposals that are relevant and important to the community," Duckworth's communications director, Ben Garmisa said in a statement Tuesday night.