Statement by American Rights at Work Acting Executive Director Kimberly Freeman on Senator Harkin’s New Chairmanship

Since joining Congress in 1975, Senator Harkin has been a true friend to working families everywhere. Senator Harkin’s succession as Chairman of the Senate HELP Committee marks a new and promising chapter of his longstanding record of passion, commitment, and leadership on issues important to America’s middle class.

While the void of Senator Kennedy’s presence remains in our thoughts, we are confident that Harkin will be an equally valiant leader. When Senator Kennedy fell ill, it was Senator Harkin who picked up the reigns to continue Kennedy’s legacy and champion the most important labor law reform in decades through the Employee Free Choice Act.

This past Labor Day, President Obama reaffirmed his support for the legislation and Vice President Biden expressed confidence it would pass in 2009. Senator Harkin’s new leadership role is a positive sign of momentum that the bill can and must be enacted this year. With the administration, a majority of the public and Congress behind him, Senator Harkin can continue to fight for legislation like the Employee Free Choice Act and help make an economy that works for everyone again.

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