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 four Trump administration nominees at the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
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 today. If confirmed, you’ll be crucial in advancing President Trump’s agenda, improving the lives of all Americans. I appreciate your willingness to serve.
If confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Education, Dr. Schwinn will play an integral role in reforming a Department that has lost its purpose. Its bureaucracy and red tape have stood in the way of student success.
Dr. Schwinn has a strong record of improving education systems, including as Tennessee Commissioner of Education and Chief Deputy Commissioner of Education in Texas. This experience will be vital as the Trump administration looks to return power over education to states and ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.
The Committee will also hear from Ms. Richey, nominated for Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Ms. Richey brings extensive experience from previous administrations and state agencies; addressing discriminatory practices in K-12 schools and universities nationwide. This experience is especially important as the administration works to address troubling antisemitism on college campuses.
Next, the Committee is considering Mr. Aronowitz, nominated to lead the Employee Benefits Security Administration at the Department of Labor. If confirmed, Mr. Aronowitz committed to improving health and retirement benefits for workers, including independent contractors. His decades of legal experience and knowledge of ERISA will be an asset to this mission.
Lastly, the Committee will hear from Mr. Keeling, nominated to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Mr. Keeling spent 30 years advocating for worker safety in the private sector and has strong support from businesses and labor unions. If confirmed, he committed to ensuring OSHA regulations reflect what is best for workers, not biased toward one party over the other.
Thank you again to all of our witnesses 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.