A coalition of manufacturing and construction trade groups urged the Senate Tuesday to confirm Alexander Acosta, President Trump’s nominee for labor secretary. Acosta is expected to get a full Senate vote by the end of the week.
“Mr. Acosta is an exceptional choice to lead the Department of Labor. As a dedicated public servant, Mr. Acosta brings a unique experience and first-hand knowledge of the complex labor issues facing employers and employees. Mr. Acosta has a proven track record of protecting American workers and job creators and we are confident he will work with manufacturers to eliminate the $81.6 million in labor regulatory costs imposed under President Obama’s administration,” the coalition said in an open letter to senators. The coalition, led by the National Association of Manufacturers, includes about five dozen trade groups.
The secretary of labor is one of the last Cabinet positions to remain open under the Trump administration. Acosta, a former assistant attorney general for civil rights during President George W. Bush’s administration, was nominated by Trump in February. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., filed for cloture on Acosta’s nomination on Monday, setting up a vote to proceed on the nomination Wednesday. Assuming Acosta gets 50 votes to proceed, a full Senate confirmation vote can take place up to 30 hours later.
Acosta may face a contentious Senate. His nomination was approved by the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee last month on a strict party-line vote, and several Democrats expressed frustration with Acosta after he declined to respond to questions on whether he would retain several policies the department made under Obama.
