Liz Watson (politician)

On April 27, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Watson to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of Labor.[13] Watson's initial nomination expired at the end of the year, and was sent back to President Biden on January 3, 2022.[14]

President Biden renominated Watson the following day. Her nomination was confirmed on May 18, 2022.[15]

Watson defeated civil rights attorney Dan Canon and truck driver Rob Chatlos in the May 8, 2018, Democratic primary election with 24,981 votes and 66.4% of total votes cast.[16][17][18][19] Watson's victory garnered national attention for the high level of financial and volunteer support she received from feminists.[20][21][22]

In September 2018, Watson was endorsed by Senators Bernie Sanders[23] and Elizabeth Warren.[24] As of September 30, 2018, the Liz for Indiana campaign reported $1,946,997 in total receipts and $1,452,365 in total disbursements.[25] Watson lost to Republican incumbent Trey Hollingsworth in the November 6, 2018, general election. Hollingsworth defeated Watson with 56.5% of vote to her 43.5%.[26]

Watson was one of three 2018 candidates featured in the 2020 documentary Surge, along with Representative Lauren Underwood and Jana Sanchez.[27][28] The documentary has received critical attention from a variety of sources.[29]

Watson supports Medicare for All.[30] She also supports the Obamacare, calling it a "starting point" that needs work.[31]

On her campaign website, Watson says she opposes defunding Planned Parenthood, calling it "high-quality, affordable health care for both women and men." She also opposes Congressional attempts to block Medicaid patients from accessing care at Planned Parenthood centers.[32][30]

Regarding marijuana policy, Watson supports the legalization of medical marijuana as well as federal measures to prevent interference from the Department of Justice in the implementation of state medical cannabis laws.[33][34]

As director of workplace justice at the National Women's Law Center, Watson helped pass paid family leave and gender equity pay laws in Maryland.[21]

More recently, as the Labor Policy Director for the Democrats in the House of Representatives, Watson led the development of legislation which called for the minimum wage to be raised to a living wage at $15 an hour.[3][21][35]

Watson supports labor unions and opposes raising the retirement age.[36][37][38]

Watson supports expansion of access to early childhood and pre-kindergarten education and opposes voucher programs and further expansion of charter schools.[39]

Regarding higher education, Watson supports the College for All Act, which would "eliminate tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities for families making up to $125,000 ... and make community college tuition- and fee-free for all."[39][40]

Watson supports reinstating the federal ban on assault weapons which expired in 2004. Additionally, Watson supports revoking the Center for Disease Control's ban on researching gun violence. Watson opposes the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act which "would require states to recognize concealed carry permits issued by other states."[41][42]

Watson supports the Do No Harm Act, which would amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to clarify that it is "intended to protect religious freedom without allowing the infliction of harm on other people."[43][44]