Senate confirms Eugene Scalia for Labor secretary

The Senate voted 53-44 Thursday to approve Eugene Scalia for Labor secretary.

A management-side lawyer and son of the late Supreme Courtroom Justice Antonin Scalia, Eugene Scalia was tapped by President Donald Trump in late July after Alexander Acosta resigned amid public furor over the leniency of a 2008 plea agreement that he'd struck with the rich intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein back when Acosta was U.S. lawyer in southern Florida.

Scalia's profession as a companion on the worldwide regulation firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, the place he defended powerful corporate shoppers in instances that handled government rules, has drawn criticism from Democrats and labor advocates.

“Scalia’s nomination is a slap to the face of labor,” stated Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from the Senate flooring Thursday morning, “as a result of Mr. Scalia's life work has been completely opposed to the mission of the company to which he is nominated. He has sided repeatedly with the massive company interest towards the working individuals."

The shopper record that Scalia offered to the Office of Government Ethics final month included a few of America’s strongest firms, including Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Ford, Fb, Delta Air Strains, Marriott and Juul Labs.

Scalia stated he wouldn't take part for one yr in any determination that would affect a former shopper with out first obtaining a written waiver, elevating the prospect that he might should recuse himself from key Trump administration policy initiatives similar to DOL's highly anticipated joint employer proposal.

The American Lodge and Lodging Association, which represents Marriott, submitted supporting the proposed rule. One other group Scalia offered legal providers for, the Retail Business Leaders Affiliation, also supported the joint employer proposal in public feedback.

However Republicans and enterprise groups say Scalia's authorized profession in labor and employment regulation makes him "nicely certified" to steer the company.

"It is crucial for the Division of Labor to create an surroundings to help employers and staff achieve immediately’s rapidly changing office," Senate HELP Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) stated in a floor speech Wednesday, according to his prepared remarks.

The nomination might turn into a political legal responsibility for Trump in 2020, Democrats and union leaders steered. The president gained extra votes in union households in 2016 than any Republican presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan, however AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka warned on a press name Thursday morning that Scalia's nomination is "insulting, it is harmful and staff will not be going to overlook it.”

"My guess is that if each working individual knew Mr. Scalia's report," Schumer stated throughout the same press call, "and that President Trump nominated him, Mr. Trump would hardly get the vote of a employee."

Scalia beforehand served as chief authorized officer for the Labor Department through the George W. Bush administration, a place he took following a recess appointment by the former Republican president.

Throughout his confirmation hearing, Scalia dodged pointed questions on his coverage views, however prompt he would not let the pursuits of former shoppers influence his public position.

“Once I was at the Labor Division earlier than,” Scalia stated, “I used to be ever aware that I had a new set of obligations and even a better set of obligations. An important factor to me as a practitioner has been constancy to my obligations and to the regulation."

Ian Kullgren contributed to this report.

Article initially revealed on POLITICO Magazine

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