New Nominee, New Path to Confirmation – Acosta Draws Initial Support From Management and Labor

In sharp contrast to his predecessor, new Labor Secretary nominee Alexander Acosta has received initial support from both management and labor. Management views Acosta’s private sector experience combined with his political views as reason to believe that he will adopt a more management-friendly stance. Labor is looking to Acosta’s past government service as a sign that he will enforce labor laws. In a statement yesterday, Acosta said, “I thank the president and his staff for their confidence in me and I am eager to work tirelessly on behalf of the American worker.” Beyond appealing to both sides of the both sides of the management-labor aisle, Acosta boasts an impressive background topped by having been through the confirmation process three times before. He was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate first as a member of the National Labor Relations Board, then as assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and finally as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Acosta has also broken barriers before, having been the first Hispanic person to hold the rank of assistant attorney general and, at least according to initial reactions, now being on what may be a smooth road to becoming the first Hispanic member of Trump’s cabinet.

• RELATED TOPICS
• Department of Labor (DOL)
• labor secretary