Harkin Statement on Senate Approval of David Weil to Serve as Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate approved David Weil to serve as the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division at the U.S. Department of Labor. Weil was approved by the Senate HELP Committee in January 2014.

“The Wage and Hour Division is a relatively unknown agency, but it plays a huge role in how Americans experience their day-to-day working lives.  It ensures that people are paid fairly, it protects vulnerable children from abusive child labor, and it ensures that workers can spend time with their families when a new baby arrives or a health crisis is looming.  I can think of no one better to lead the Division than Dr. David Weil,” Harkin said. “He is one of the nation’s leading experts on wage and hour laws and how these laws can be efficiently and effectively enforced. Because of his expertise, he already served as an advisor to the Division under both Democratic and Republican Administrations. I have every confidence that Dr. Weil will work to ensure a fair workplace for every worker, as well as ensure that employers have the information they need to understand and comply with the law. I am pleased the Senate has acted today to confirm him.”

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