Jan 8, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Biden says he considered Bernie Sanders for labor secretary

President-elect Joe Biden said at a press conference on Friday that he gave "serious consideration" to appointing Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) as his labor secretary, but instead chose Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

Why it matters: Biden said he and Sanders agreed a Vermont special election for Sanders' seat could put Democrats' majority in the Senate — which the party just gained with the two runoff races in Georgia — in jeopardy.

What they're saying: "I'm confident he could've done a fantastic job," Biden said. "I can think of no more passionate ally to working people."

  • "We also discussed how we would work together, travel the country together, helping Marty and meeting with working men and women who feel forgotten and left behind in this economy.
  • "We agreed that we would work closely on our shared agenda of increasing worker power and to protect the dignity of work for all working people."

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