President Trump’s pick to run the Labor Department was endorsed Friday by a group of Hispanic lawyers, judges and law professors.
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) said it had “no doubt” Alexander Acosta was the right person for the job.
Acosta, who runs the law school at Florida International University, won a key Senate committee vote last week and is awaiting final confirmation from the full chamber.
“Based on our review, there is no doubt Dean Acosta is well qualified to lead the United States Department of Labor,” HNBA President Pedro J. Torres-Diaz wrote in the letter.
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Acosta “possesses strong credentials, experience, and a high degree of professionalism to successfully manage the Labor Department,” Torres-Diaz added.
The Florida law school dean was Trump’s second choice to lead the Labor Department after his first nominee, restaurant executive Andrew Puzder, withdrew in mid-February.
Puzder faced intense criticism from workers at his fast-food restaurants, and he withdraw after a number of Senate Republicans signaled their opposition to his nomination.
But Acosta is seen as a safer pick to run the Labor Department, given his experience as a Republican member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
The Senate also previously confirmed Acosta to two other government roles, including to be head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division and as the U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Florida.
Senate Republicans could confirm Acosta with a simple majority, but at least one Democrat — Sen. Bill Nelson (Fla.) — has vowed to cross party lines and vote for him.
“Acosta has maintained the highest ethical and professional standards,” the HNBA wrote. “His distinguished career in law and government service, and commitment to serve the public good, are by far the necessary requisites to serve as secretary.”