Watch Live: Marty Walsh's U.S. Senate Nomination Hearing

BOSTON — Mayor Marty Walsh, tapped by President Biden to be his labor secretary, will appear Thursday morning before a U.S. Senate committee to kick off his nomination process.

If Walsh's nomination is approved by the committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee, he could be confirmed by the U.S. Senate within days.

Walsh's nomination hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. You can watch a livestream below when it begins.

Walsh, 53, of Dorchester, has been mayor since 2014. He was a member of the House of Representatives and longtime labor before that.

It has been expected Walsh would face some Republican criticism amid an otherwise uneventful nomination. But late-breaking news in Boston could throw the two-term mayor a curveball.

Walsh put Police Commissioner Dennis White on leave after 22-year-old domestic abuse allegations surfaced Wednesday night, just two days after White was sworn in to replace William Gross. An outside firm will conduct an investigation of the allegations, which according to The Boston Globe involved White hitting his wife and threatening to shoot her in 1999.

Walsh said in a statement Wednesday night he asked White to "quickly step into the role of Police Commissioner" after Gross's abrupt retirement, which the now-former commissioner said was due in part to spend time with his family.

"These disturbing issues were not known to me or my staff, but should have been at the forefront," Walsh said.

The Globe said the allegations resulted in a restraining order that kept White away from his wife and kids, as well as him surrendering a department-issued firearm.

Walsh's confirmation would officially set off one of the most unique mayoral races in Boston history. The City Council on Wednesday voted to eliminate a special election that would otherwise be required if Walsh leaves office before March 5, citing health and equity concerns — as well the looming fall election.

Three city councilors have entered the race. Annissa Essaibi George, Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell would all be the first woman and person of color to be mayor of Boston.

City Council President Kim Janey would serve out the rest of Walsh's term as acting mayor but has not declared for the race. Janey may have to deal with the fallout of the White investigation.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Boston Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.