Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) called on Republicans to allow the nomination process to continue in a fair and open manner, following yet another delay of a committee vote on the nomination of Marylander Thomas “Tom” Perez today in the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee.

“Tom Perez is a decent and hardworking public servant.  I have known Tom for years, from his time as head of the Montgomery County Council to his current position as Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. He has always been a champion for justice and the public good his entire career at the federal, state and local levels of government.  At this critical time for our fragile economy, it is unfortunate that some have chosen to twist this fine record into something other than protecting workers in Maryland and nationwide from discrimination, especially unlawful activities in the workplace.

“As a former Judiciary Committee member I chaired Tom’s confirmation hearing for his current position with the Civil Rights Division, and I am incredibly impressed by and supportive of Tom’s tireless efforts to enforce the constitutional rights of all Americans.  He took bold and decisive action to clean up the division, strengthen its enforcement efforts by negotiating a number of record settlements, and improve morale. Tom Perez deserves a timely vote in the Senate HELP Committee and by the full United States Senate to be the next U.S. Secretary of Labor.”