Senator Lankford Takes Aim at Biden’s FLRA General Counsel Nominee

Oklahoma Senator James Lankford sent a letter to the President in opposition to Suzanne Summerlin, Biden’s nominee for the role of General Counsel at the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Senator Lankford takes issue with Summerlin’s alleged communications that had an “appearance of impropriety” as determined by the agency’s watchdog.

Lankford received support from Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN), who also signed the letter. Summerlin’s nomination is currently pending before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC).

“We write in opposition to the nomination of Suzanne Summerlin to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) and urge you to withdraw the nomination as she has a history of engaging in unethical, third-party communication with the FLRA that calls into question her judgment and impartiality,” the Senators wrote.”

“If confirmed, Ms. Summerlin would be tasked with upholding the legal and ethical integrity of the FLRA. Because her communications with a member of the FLRA led to the appearance of impropriety and were a part of [Former Chairman] DuBester’s unethical communications, Ms. Summerlin’s knowing involvement proves her disqualification for the position. [Mr.] DuBester withdrew his nomination due to unethical communications, the same standard should apply to those on the other end of the emails. We urge you to withdraw her nomination,” the Senators continued.

To read the full letter, click here.