The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee on Thursday approved Alexander Acosta, President Trump’s pick to head the Labor Department, along party lines.
The vote was 12-11, but Acosta is expected to win confirmation from the full Senate.
“We are fortunate to have a presidential nominee for labor secretary who understands how a good-paying job is critical to helping workers realize the American dream for themselves and for their families. After immigrating to Miami from Cuba, Mr. Acosta’s parents worked hard to create more opportunities for their son. Alexander Acosta became the first person in his family to go to college and from there has had an impressive career. He’s been confirmed by the Senate three times — and I expect that we’ll confirm him a fourth,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the committee.
Acosta served as assistant attorney general for civil rights during President George W. Bush’s administration. He was also the U.S. attorney for the southern district of Florida and served as a member of the National Labor Relations Board, the main federal labor law enforcement agency, from 2002 to 2003. He is dean of Florida International University Law School.
The pick has been praised by Republicans and business groups. “The National Restaurant Association applauds Chairman Lamar Alexander and the Senate HELP Committee on their vote supporting Alexander Acosta’s nomination for labor secretary… We look forward to his confirmation by the full Senate, so he can begin addressing the important issues facing employees and employers,” said Cicely Simpson, executive vice president of government affairs and policy for the group.
Acosta’s nomination has received muted criticism from Democrats. During a Senate hearing last week, several Democrats were left frustrated when Acosta declined to answer questions about whether he would uphold various Obama rulemakings and regulations.
“Given that Mr. Acosta refused to make any specific commitments on the record about how he will ensure that [the Labor Department’s] policy and enforcement work will be effectively carried out to further the interests of all workers, we cannot support his nomination,” said the Leadership Council on Civil Rights, a coalition group.
Acosta nevertheless has the support of some major unions, rare for a Republican appointee. The International Union of Operating Engineers, the Laborers’ International Union of North America and the International Association of Fire Fighters have endorsed him. LIUNA’s Terry O’Sullivan praised Acosta’s “fairness and respect for justice.”
