The Senate voted Thursday afternoon to confirm Alexander Acosta as the new secretary of labor. The 60-38 vote fills the last open seat in President Trump’s Cabinet.
Acosta served as assistant attorney general for civil rights during President George W. Bush’s administration. He was also on the National Labor Relations Board from 2002-2003 and was a U.S. attorney for the southern district of Florida. Prior to his confirmation, Acosta had been dean of Florida International University Law School.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, highlighted Acosta’s background as the son of Cuban immigrants and the first person in his family to have a college education. Alexander said the Acosta’s credentials and experience made him “well-qualified” for the position and noted that the Senate had confirmed him three times previously.
“He understands that a good-paying job is critical to helping workers realize the American dream for themselves and for their families,” Alexander said.
The pick has been praised by Republicans and business groups. “We look forward to working with Secretary Acosta on workforce training and career development initiatives like the retail industry’s RISE Up program to create new career opportunities for employees and help American businesses grow,” said David French, senior vice president for government relations for the National Retail Federation.
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., chairwoman of the Education and the Workforce Committee, said that after the eight years of the Obama administration, “America’s workers and employers desperately need a new direction at the Department of Labor. That day has finally come.”
The Hispanic National Bar Association applauded the Senate vote. “We look forward to working with Secretary Acosta and this Administration to advance the interests of Hispanic legal professionals across the country and the broader Latino community.”
Acosta also 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.
He received muted criticism from Democrats. During a Senate hearing last month, several Democrats were left frustrated when Acosta declined to answer questions about whether he would uphold various Obama rulemakings and regulations.
“The test of a @USDOL nominee is simple: will you stand up for 150 million US workers? Acosta failed this basic test,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., tweeted several hours before the vote.
Acosta’s was Trump’s second choice for the post. Fast-food businessman Andrew Puzder, an outspoken conservative, was Trump’s initial choice, but he withdrew his nomination in February after it became apparent that he lacked support in the Senate. Democrats and labor groups had launched an aggressive PR campaign against him. Acosta did not draw the same level of opposition.
