[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 193 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Nomination of Rajesh D. Nayak

  Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, first of all, I come to the floor to 
call for the confirmation of Rajesh Nayak to serve as Assistant 
Secretary of Labor for Policy.
  Over the past year and a half, our working families across the 
country have really struggled through the most unequal economic crisis 
in recent history.
  COVID put a glaring spotlight on many of the problems workers were 
already facing before this pandemic and has worsened longstanding 
inequities, making life harder for women, workers of color and workers 
with disabilities, and others.
  If we are going to build back stronger and fairer from this pandemic, 
then our Federal Agencies must be fully staffed with highly qualified 
people who will help us tackle the many challenges hurting workers, 
retirees, and their families.
  Mr. Nayak already has an impressive track record of doing just that. 
Mr. Nayak served as a senior adviser to Secretary Walsh at the 
Department, and also previously served in the Solicitor's office as 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Deputy Chief of Staff. In 
those roles, he has worked on a broad portfolio of issues important to 
workers across the country, including workforce development, worker 
protection, counter-trafficking, overtime pay, health and safety, 
retirement security, and more.
  He has also worked twice at the National Employment Law Project, 
including most recently as deputy CEO. As an advocate and a 
policymaker, he has shown time and again his commitment to empowering 
workers, supporting families, and advancing equity. And I have no doubt 
that, if confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy, he will 
continue working in the best interests of workers and their families, 
and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting in support of his 
nomination.