Ranking Member Burr Votes to Support Cardona and Walsh Nominations

Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to confirm the nominations of Dr. Miguel Cardona to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Education and Mayor Marty Walsh to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Labor. Today’s vote advances both nominations to the full Senate for consideration.

After the Committee’s vote, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), the Committee’s top Republican, released the following statement on supporting both nominations.

“As we enter a new Administration, our nation is faced with some of the greatest public health, education, and economic challenges of our lifetime,’’ said Ranking Member Burr. “We need qualified leaders at both the Department of Education and Department of Labor to safely reopen our schools and economy.

“Dr. Cardona has been asked to lead the Department of Education at a very challenging time, but is extremely qualified for the role. He has committed to following the latest science when it comes to protecting against COVID-19 and to work with the CDC and state and local officials to bring students safely back to the classroom.

“Mayor Walsh has been tasked with navigating a difficult economy as we enter a new phase of this pandemic. We both agree on the importance of a skilled American workforce, especially in an increasingly competitive and global economy, and the need for specialized job training programs.

“I intend to conduct rigorous oversight as we begin to tackle some of these challenges. I have made clear my hope that both of these nominees work with Congress on bipartisan solutions to these pressing issues. It’s critical that these two positions are filled without unnecessary delay. I urge my colleagues to support these nominees in the full Senate.”

Background:

The Senate HELP Committee voted by 17-5 to support Dr. Miguel Cardona to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education and voted by 18-4 to support Mayor Marty Walsh to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor.

The Senate HELP Committee held nomination hearings for Dr. Cardona and Mayor Walsh on February 3, 2021, and February 4, 2021, respectively.

Ranking Member Burr highlighted his priorities for the Committee and called on schools to safely reopen during Dr. Cardona’s nomination hearing. In his opening remarks for Mayor Marty Walsh’s nomination hearing, Ranking Member Burr underscored the importance of a skilled American workforce and stressed the importance of reopening the economy.