Biden's Labor Nominee Blocked in Senate by Democratic Senators

Manchin and Menendez join Republicans in voting against José Javier Rodríguez, causing a setback for Biden's administration.

Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Bob Menendez voted with Republicans to block President Biden's nominee for assistant secretary of the Labor Department, José Javier Rodríguez, from advancing.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer changed his vote to 'no' to reserve the option of bringing Rodríguez up for another vote in the future.
An aide to Manchin cited 'concerns about his political activism and lack of experience' as reasons for the senator's vote against Rodríguez.
Rodríguez is a workers' rights attorney and former Democratic lawmaker in the Florida state House of Representatives and state Senate.
Menendez is currently facing charges from the Department of Justice and calls for his resignation, while Manchin has announced he won't seek re-election and is rumored to be considering a presidential run in 2024.