Labor Nominee’s Bonhomie With GOP Senators Masks Future Clashes

The confirmation hearing for labor secretary nominee Marty Walsh, notable for its lack of partisan sniping, validated the Boston mayor’s bipartisan reputation and opened a clear path to Senate approval. But underlying the bonhomie that characterized many of Walsh’s exchanges with Republican senators were warnings of the fierce labor policy battles he’d confront as a member of President Joe Biden‘s Cabinet.

Contrary to the divisive nature typical of confirmation hearings for Cabinet posts, the former construction union leader found common ground with senators from both parties on areas where he could help the economy recover from the pandemic, if ...