HELP Committee Votes to Advance Labor Secretary Nominee Mayor Marty Walsh

Mayor Walsh advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 18-4 

Senator Murray: Workers “need a Secretary of Labor like Mayor Walsh who will act quickly to keep workers safe, defend and expand workers’ rights, and be a partner in helping our economy come back stronger and fairer for all workers.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee advanced the nomination of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to be the Secretary of Labor to the full Senate by a bipartisan vote of 18-4. Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the HELP Committee, reiterated her strong support for Mayor Walsh, highlighting his long career fighting for workers and his commitment to building back an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.

“Last week the Committee had the opportunity to hear from both Dr. Cardona and Mayor Walsh,” said Senator Murray at the mark-up. “And both proved what was already clear from their past experience—they are well qualified for these roles and ready to work with Congress.”

Senator Murray held a confirmation hearing for Mayor Walsh on February 4. During the hearing, Senator Murray commended Mayor Walsh’s life-long commitment to improving workers’ lives—whether it be as a local labor leader, or as Mayor of Boston fighting to get essential workers support during this pandemic. She also noted that his experience working across coalitions of labor and business groups has prepared him to hit the ground running on day one at the Department of Labor and act immediately to defend workers and protect them during this pandemic and beyond.

At the hearing, she stressed that, “Workers—who are the backbone of our economy—are being pushed to the brink. They need us to acknowledge this crisis is far from over, and pass additional relief as soon as possible. And they need a Secretary of Labor like Mayor Walsh who will act quickly to keep workers safe, defend and expand workers’ rights, and be a partner in helping our economy come back stronger and fairer for all workers.”

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