WBUR, February 2021
At his Senate confirmation hearing to become Secretary of Labor, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh pledged he would support polices that would protect and expand worker rights and the American economy. Speaking before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Thursday, Walsh said advancing workers is a key to advancing the U.S. economy.
If confirmed, you and the American people are going to get 100% out of me each and every day,” Walsh told the committee. “And the American people are made of workers, of businesses, of industry.”
Democrats on the committee welcomed Walsh — and the idea of a former labor leader heading the Department.
“After four years of a Trump Labor Department that did its best to undermine workers, Marty will be a secretary of Labor who actually supports Labor,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren, who introduced the mayor to the committee. “He’s a good man,” she said.
Republicans were cordial but challenged Walsh on proposals to empower unions, weaken right-to-work laws and pass a $15 minimum wage, all of which are policies that President Biden supports, but which they say would kill jobs.
