WASHINGTON, Feb. 11— Associated Builders and Contractors President and CEO Michael Bellaman released the follow statement on the vote by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to approve the nomination of Mayor Marty Walsh as secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor:

“Mayor Walsh knows the construction industry and its workforce, so I believe we share common ground in developing well-qualified craft professionals and creating work environments that prioritize safety and total human health. In his Senate committee hearing, Mayor Walsh said that he would be collaborative and a listener, so ABC looks forward to working with him on policies that benefit the industry as a whole, rather than favoring one constituency over another or excluding the majority of our workers and contractors from rebuilding America. More than 87% of construction workers choose a career in a nonunion environment—evidence that the merit-based marketplace rewards diversity of ideas, drives innovation and creates value for individuals, the industry and the nation.”