Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson plans to support President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Labor, R. Alexander Acosta, according to a Miami Herald report.
Nelson plans to support Acosta, a spokesman told the Miami Herald after the newspaper asked for comment Tuesday. The senator and Acosta are both natives of Miami. Acosta, a first generation lawyer, has served as the dean of the Florida International University School of Law since 2009.
News that Nelson is already on board comes after labor union leaders have spoke warmly of the Republican attorney over the airwaves. AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka called Acosta a public servant with a, “record of enforcing the laws that he’s been put in charge of,” during an appearance with Neil Cavuto on Fox Business in late February. (RELATED: Top Labor Boss Continues To Praise Puzder)
Acosta, also a former federal prosecutor, earned his undergraduate degree and Law Degree from Harvard and served as a law clerk to Justice Samuel Alito on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Acosta was a member of the National Labor Relations Board and became the first Hispanic to be an Assistant Attorney General. If confirmed, Acosta will be the first Hispanic member of Trump’s cabinet.
The president selected Acosta after his first choice to lead the Department of Labor, Andy Puzder, withdrew his name from consideration. (RELATED: Puzder Withdraws Name From Consideration For Dept. Of Labor)
Puzder withdrew his name after Senate Republicans informed the White House that they lacked the votes to approve the CKE restaurant CEO. He was under a constant barrage of negative stories ranging from reports that he paid some employees in cash, hired an illegal immigrant housekeeper and allegedly abused from a former spouse.
Acosta’s confirmation hearing is scheduled to take place March 22 before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
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