WASHINGTON (WHDH/AP) — The United States Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a confirmation hearing Thursday morning on the nomination of Boston Mayor Martin Walsh as Secretary of Labor.
The committee’s incoming chairwoman, Sen. Patty Murry, says she is working to quickly confirm President Joe Biden’s labor secretary candidate.
“I’m confident that he’s the right pick for Secretary of Labor and will be ready to act quickly to keep workers safe during this pandemic,” she said.
Walsh, 53, has been Boston’s mayor since 2014. When the Democrat took the oath of office in 2018 for his second term, Biden presided over the inauguration. Walsh was a state representative for more than a decade before becoming mayor.
He was introduced to the Senate panel by Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren.
Walsh also has a long history with organized labor, formerly serving as president of Laborers Local 223 and heading the Boston Building Trades — a union umbrella organization.
Republicans pressed Boston’s democratic mayor on issues like defunding the police and the Biden administration’s push for a national $15 minimum wage.
Senators of both parties said they looked forward to Walsh’s confirmation, which could be delayed by impeachment hearings scheduled to take place next week.
If Walsh does leave for Washington, D.C., City Council President Kim Janey is set to take over as acting Boston mayor.
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)