Executive Calendar--Continued

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, today's workers are really struggling through one of the most unequal economic crises in modern American history. With millions out of a job and millions more struggling to get by, it is clear that workers need a Deputy Secretary of Labor who is committed to building back a stronger, fairer economy. They need someone who will work diligently to make sure workers have a fair and just workplace, a livable wage, a secure retirement, safe working conditions, access to accommodations, and are treated with dignity and respect, which is why I am so glad to support Julie Su's nomination.

As a labor lawyer, Julie Su fought to defend Thai garment workers who were trafficked into the United States and forced to work behind barbed wire and under armed guard. Then she pushed to change the law to make sure corporations were held responsible for working conditions in their supply chains.

As California labor commissioner, Julie Su cracked down on wage theft and launched a multilingual campaign to help workers understand their rights and feel safe about speaking up about employers who stole their wages.

As California's secretary of labor, Julie Su has implemented increases to the State minimum wage, created good-paying, high-quality jobs, expanded access to benefits for gig workers and workers who are paid low wages, and protected essential workers who are bearing the brunt of this pandemic.

It is clear that her experience in leading one of the largest State labor departments in the Nation, her decades-long commitment to fighting for workers' rights, and her personal story as the multilingual daughter of Chinese immigrants have given her the experience, background, and values to be a successful Deputy Secretary of Labor.

She is the right person for the job, and I urge our colleagues to join me in voting to confirm her because, right now, too many workers still lack crucial protections and rights and struggle to make ends meet, especially women, workers of color, LGBTQ workers, migrant workers, and workers with disabilities.

To build back an economy that works for everyone, not just the biggest corporations and wealthiest individuals, it is critical that we have a fully staffed Department of Labor and leaders who are committed to protecting workers. So it is critical that we confirm Julie Su as Deputy Secretary of Labor without delay.

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