Walsh replacement, wage and hour challenges vex DOL

With his resignation as Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh has set off a tense battle within the Democratic Party, pitting powerful forces against each other. Meanwhile, the agency faces resistance to its regulatory agenda.

Walsh resigns, replacement unclear
Walsh, who became the first cabinet member to leave the Biden administration, stepped down to become executive director of the National Hockey League Players Association. Although often criticized for focusing solely on media-friendly, pro-union endeavors—such as the threatened Major League Baseball strike—he was a visible and staunchly prolabor member of President Joe Biden’s inner circle of advisors. “Losing” Walsh to a nonpolitical role also deprives the president of one of his hardest-working campaigners, especially among the blue-collar voters being wooed by Biden.

Walsh’s departure has created intense lobbying about his replacement. The most prominent potential successor is Deputy Secretary Julie Su. Already confirmed, she could serve as acting (or “principal”) secretary for the remainder of the term. An official nomination is being strongly urged by the Asian-Pacific community, however, who note that without Su, Biden’s cabinet would continue to be the first in over 20 years not to have an Asian secretary.