Marcia Fudge: Biden housing secretary pick becomes second black cabinet member
There are also demands for more Asian-Americans in top positions in the Biden cabinet
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.President-elect Joe Biden has selected Marcia L Fudge as his housing and urban development secretary, making her the second black member of his cabinet.
The other person finalised by the Democrat for his team was former agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack who has been chosen to once again take up the same role.
If confirmed by the Senate, Congresswoman Marcia L Fudge, who represents the 11th Congressional district of Ohio, would join retired US army general Lloyd J Austin who has been picked as defence secretary – the first time a black American has held the position in US history.
A former chairperson of the Congressional black caucus, Ms Fudge serves on the house committee on agriculture as well as on the committee on education and labour. She is seen as an advocate for working families and affordable housing.
She was initially discussed for the post of agriculture secretary before Mr Vilsack was confirmed for the job, US media reports said. The present housing secretary in the Donald Trump administration, Ben Carson, is also a black politician.
Though she is yet to confirm her selection after the news broke, Ms Fudge said previously that it would be a privilege to join Mr Biden’s team.
“It is something in probably my wildest dreams I would have never thought about. So if I can help this president in any way possible, I am more than happy to do it,” she said.
Mr Biden has also selected California’s attorney general Xavier Becerra, whose parents were Mexican immigrants, as his health secretary.
The president-elect’s picks for his cabinet so far have featured a diverse group of people that best represents the America that voted for him in the 2020 presidential elections.
Mr Vilsack is known to Mr Biden from their time working together during the Obama administration, when he led the US’s agriculture department for eight years. But Mr Biden’s association with him goes back to the late 1980s, and Mr Vilsack was among the first Democrats to endorse Joe Biden as their 2020 candidate.
Mr Biden still has some selections to go before his cabinet is complete, and there have been calls for him to include more members from the Asian-American community.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments