WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered remarks during today’s hearing on Trump administration nominations for the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The nominations include:
Click here to watch the hearing live.
Cassidy’s speech as prepared for delivery can be found below:
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will please come to order.
Thanks to our nominees for being here and their willingness to serve our country.
The Committee will hear from Mr. Jonathan Berry, nominated for Solicitor at the Department of Labor (DOL). If confirmed, Mr. Berry committed to refocus the Solicitor’s office on providing workers and employers with due process and ensuring DOL's actions are rooted in the law. Mr. Berry’s extensive experience in labor and employment law, as well as his experience advocating for workers’ rights, will be an asset to the Department if confirmed.
The Committee is also considering Mr. Andrew Rogers, nominated to lead DOL’s Wage and Hour Division. Under the Biden administration, the Wage and Hour Division struggled to curb the troubling rise of child labor and exploitation. It also pushed Biden’s independent contractor policy, which threatened the ability of over 27 million independent workers to choose when and how they want to work.
As a former Wage and Hour official in the first Trump administration, Mr. Rogers will bring much-needed experience as the agency looks to get back on track to better protect and support American workers.
We will hear from former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, nominated for DOL Inspector General. If confirmed, Congressman D’Esposito will be a crucial part of the President’s goal to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. He committed to working with Congress to ensure DOL programs are being implemented effectively and identify areas for reform. Congressman D’Esposito’s experience as a former member of Congress and as a police detective will be a valuable resource in accomplishing this mission.
Lastly, the Committee will consider Ms. Andrea Lucas, acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), who is being renominated as an EEOC Commissioner. Ms. Lucas has a strong record of protecting workers from discrimination and ensuring EEOC follows the law as Congress intended. Under her leadership, EEOC has a year-to-date, 7 percent increase in monetary recoveries for workers filing discrimination complaints. If confirmed, I look forward to our continued collaboration, ensuring a safe working environment for all Americans.
Thanks again to all of our nominees for appearing before the Committee.
With that, I recognize Senator Sanders for his opening statement.
###
For all news and updates from HELP Republicans, visit our website or Twitter at @GOPHELP.