HELP Committee Democrats Vote to Advance Jocelyn Samuels, Seema Nanda, Jennifer Abruzzo

EEOC Commissioner nominee Jocelyn Samuels advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 14-8

Solicitor for the Department of Labor nominee Seema Nanda advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 14-8

General Counsel of the NLRB nominee Jennifer Abruzzo receives a vote of 11-11, awaits a full Senate vote to discharge the nomination

Senator Murray: “We need to make sure our economy works for working families—and that means confirming strong, qualified leaders who are committed to looking out for workers to help lead the Department of Labor, the EEOC, and the NLRB.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 14-8 on the nomination of Jocelyn Samuels to be a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), 14-8 on the nomination of Seema Nanda to be Solicitor for the Department of Labor (DOL), and 11-11 on the nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo to be General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the HELP Committee, reiterated her strong support for the nominees, highlighting their experience and their commitment to fighting for workers and families across the country.

“We need to make sure our economy works for all working families—and that means confirming strong, qualified leaders who are committed to looking out for workers to help lead the Department of Labor, the EEOC, and the NLRB,” said Senator Murray at the mark-up. “It’s clear from their records that these nominees are up to the job. I urge my colleagues to vote to advance their nominations.”

In addition to every Democrat on the Committee, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) voted to advance the nomination of Jocelyn Samuels; Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) voted to advance the nomination of Seema Nanda.  

Because of the 11-11 vote for the nomination of Jennifer Abruzzo, the Committee will transmit a notice of a tie vote to the Secretary of the Senate. The nomination will now await a motion to discharge the nomination in a vote by the full Senate.

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