Senate Confirms New Labor Secretary
The mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, was confirmed as the newest Labor Secretary on Monday.
Marty Walsh, a two-term mayor of Boston and former union leader, was confirmed as the newest Labor Secretary by the Senate in a 68-29 vote on Monday.
Walsh will become the head of the Labor Department in a pivotal moment, as the pandemic has left millions unemployed and workplace safety a key topic of discussion for those around the country.
“Right now, this work is critical to the future of our economy, our communities, and our families,” Walsh told senators at his confirmation hearing last month. “I believe we must act with urgency to meet this moment to strength and employee our workforce as we rebuild.”
Under the Trump Administration, key programs at the Labor Department saw steep decline. For example, OSHA saw its lowered number of inspectors working since the 1970s. Walsh has pledged to rebuild that staff, a sentiment that has been echoed by the person that nominated Walsh for the position, President Joe Biden.
Walsh’s confirmation as Labor Secretary makes him the first union leader to run the department in over four decades.