Senator Murray Statement on President Biden’s Pick to Join the EEOC

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on President Biden’s nomination of Kalpana Kotagal to serve as a Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

“As we work to build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has a key role in defending the rights of workers. We need leaders at the EEOC who are committed to the agency’s mission of protecting workers’ rights, holding corporations accountable for workplace discrimination and harassment, and addressing the wage gap—and Kalpana Kotagal is an excellent choice.

“Ms. Kotagal has a long record fighting for workers as a civil rights and employment lawyer—and her experience makes clear she’s committed to ensuring that corporations can’t get away with violating our federal laws protecting workers. Even during the record economic recovery we’re experiencing, it’s clear that we’ve still got work ahead to ensure that everyone—no matter their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status—has a fair shot at success in the workplace. That’s why we need leaders like Ms. Kotagal, and I Iook forward to meeting with her and holding a hearing to consider her nomination as soon as possible.”

Senator Murray has long fought to support the EEOC and its vital mission, including by working to quickly confirm Jocelyn Samuels as Commissioner.

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