Senate Votes To Confirm Marty Walsh As Labor Secretary

BOSTON — The Senate has cast enough votes to confirm Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as the next Labor Secretary. Walsh, a Dorchester native and former union leader, has served as the city’s mayor since 2014.

“I’m proud of what we’ve been able to do together over the past seven years, moving our city forward," Walsh said at his farewell news conference following his confirmation.

City Council president Kim Janey will now serve as the acting mayor of Boston. Janey is the first person of color to fill the role. She’s said that she’s excited to get started.

“I'm really excited about what this means for our city, how far our city has come,” Janey said during an interview on WCVB on Sunday. “We certainly still have work to do, but it is a really exciting time for our city. So I couldn't be more thrilled to be stepping into this role."

Walsh’s confirmation hearing was on Feb. 4, where the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions voted 18-4, advancing the nomination. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent a letter supporting Walsh’s confirmation to the Senate last week, citing programs he instituted as the mayor of Boston as evidence that he’ll be successful as Labor Secretary. Building Pathways and the Learn and Earn Career Development Internship promote high-quality development and help Bostonians find well-paying jobs, the letter says.

“Both also contribute to closing race-based opportunity gaps in education and employment, which comprise an essential part of the Chamber’s ‘Equality of Opportunity’ initiative,” the letter reads. “His cooperation with the business community and dedication to expanding employment and career opportunities uniquely qualifies Mayor Walsh to be Secretary of Labor.”

Walsh thanked Boston's civil servants for their work and dedication during the pandemic and during his time as mayor, and he thanked everyone who has advocated and campaigned for him.

“As I told the team this morning, the journey doesn’t stop," said Walsh. "The work of the city keeps going tomorrow morning when there’ll be a new mayor at city hall — the work needs to continue to move forward.”