Alexander Acosta ‘An Exceptional Choice’ For Labor Secretary

JOBS GROUPS: ‘Alexander Acosta Is An Experienced Public Servant With A Distinguished Record,’ ‘We Urge The Senate To Act Swiftly’

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS: “As a dedicated public servant, Mr. Acosta is an exceptional choice to lead the Department. He brings a unique experience from his time on the National Labor Relations Board where he had firsthand knowledge of the complexities of current labor policies and how these polices have stifled competitiveness, investment and job creation. Having a strong leader with this type of experience and a proven track record of working collaboratively is vital to ensure that this key Department fulfills its important mission to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, employers, and job seekers in America.” (National Association Of Manufacturers, Letter To U.S. Senators, 4/26/17)

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce urges the Senate to promptly and favorably consider the nomination of Alexander Acosta for the position of U.S. Secretary of Labor. … Mr. Acosta has an extraordinary history of government service and refined skills which will ensure that he will be a highly successful Secretary of Labor.  Prior to his current role as dean of the Florida International University College of Law, Mr. Acosta distinguished himself in three positions, for all of which he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate: member of the National Labor Relations Board, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, and U.S. Attorney for Miami, Florida.  He also practiced law at a prominent national law firm, taught employment law, and clerked for Judge Samuel Alito when he was on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Acosta is known for being thoughtful and respectful to all parties, even those who take a different view than his, while still maintaining his principles and advancing his positions. We urge the Senate to promptly confirm him so that he may begin the important task of providing principled and balanced leadership at the Department of Labor.” (U.S. Chamber Of Commerce, Letter To U.S. Senators, 4/25/17)

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS: “Overregulation is one of the top three problems for small business owners. Reversing some of the costly and unworkable labor regulations of the past eight years is a key priority for NFIB, and advancing that agenda requires strong leadership at the Department.  Alexander Acosta is an experienced public servant with a distinguished record. His knowledge of labor issues and his service as U.S. Attorney make him an especially strong candidate to take on the entrenched bureaucracy, which has imposed unbelievably severe and costly regulations on small business in recent years. We urge the Senate to act swiftly.” (National Federation Of Independent Business, Press Release, 2/16/17)

U.S. HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: “The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) welcomes President Trump’s nomination of Alexander Acosta for secretary of Labor.  Acosta has a thorough knowledge of employment law and served on the National Labor Relations Board … Mr. Acosta’s success in defending the rights of American citizens is a perfect fit for the goals of this administration. The president has made the protection of our workforce one of his top priorities. Acosta is the perfect choice to lead the Department of Labor, an agency designed to protect and improve the welfare, wages and working conditions for our retired, present and future working Americans…. In addition, Mr. Acosta would bring a strong bipartisan and cultural perspective to this administration.” (“Letters: Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce Urges Confirmation Of Labor Head,” The Hill, 3/08/2017)

NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION: “On behalf of the nation’s retail industry, I write to share the National Retail Federation’s strong support for the nomination of Alexander Acosta to be the next Secretary of Labor. … Mr. Acosta’s diverse experiences in both public service and the private sector position him well to be an effective and pragmatic leader at the Department of Labor. The new Labor Secretary will play a critical role in implementing the President’s regulatory reform Executive Orders, and NRF looks forward to working with Mr. Acosta once confirmed on a pro-growth agenda that supports innovation, investments in the workforce, and American competitiveness.” (National Retail Federation, Letter To U.S. Senators, 3/21/17)

INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION: “Franchise owners around the country are facing a great deal of regulatory uncertainty as a result of the wreckage created by the previous administration's out-of-control Department of Labor. Mr. Acosta's exemplary record handling labor issues as a member of the NLRB has shown the appropriate balance needed to protect the interests of employees and employers. Given he has been confirmed with bipartisan support by the U.S. Senate three times, we are hopeful that there will be bipartisan support for his nomination in the U.S. Senate, so a new Labor Secretary can address the regulatory issues facing the franchise model as quickly as possible.” (International Franchise Association, Press Release, 2/16/2017)

ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS: “Alexander Acosta has a strong record of honorable public service and we encourage the Senate to act quickly …” (Associated Builders and Contractors, Press Release, 2/16/2017)

ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA: “Acosta has a strong background in employment matters, making him highly qualified to be the next secretary. His broad perspective and experience in labor and governance issues will be a welcomed change at the department as it begins reviewing the host of new and often needless new regulations that have been put in place the past eight years. More important will be the department's renewed focus on creating opportunities for the nation's employers to create new, high-paying jobs.” (Associated General Contractors of America, Press Release, 2/16/2017)

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS: “NAHB applauds President Trump's choice of Alexander Acosta as his labor secretary. It is critical to have someone in this position who can help America's small businesses and their employees by opposing unnecessary regulations that raise costs, harm job growth and curb wages.” (National Association Of Home Builders, Press Release, 2/16/2017)

NATIONAL STONE, SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION: “We support your selection given your strong record on the National Labor Relations Board and your impeccable legal experience.” (National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, Letter To Alexander Acosta, 2/22/17)

UNIONS: ‘Mr. Acosta's Fairness And Respect For Justice Make Him Highly Qualified To Serve As The Next Secretary Of Labor’

LABORERS’ INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA (LIUNA): “LIUNA supports President Trump’s nomination of Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of the United States Department of Labor. Mr. Acosta, a son of immigrants, has built a long and distinguished career as a public servant including three presidentially appointed positions…. Mr. Acosta's fairness and respect for justice make him highly qualified to serve as the next Secretary of Labor. On behalf of the half-million members of LIUNA, I look forward to working with Mr. Acosta to protect and make better the lives of working men and women across America.” (Laborers’ International Union Of North America, Press Release, 2/18/2017)

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS: “The IAFF had an opportunity to work with Alexander Acosta on a number of issues when he served as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under President George W. Bush and we always found him to be fair, reasonable and accessible. His long and distinguished career in law and government service make him a strong candidate to serve as our country's next Labor Secretary. The IAFF will be supporting Mr. Acosta's nomination …” (International Association of Fire Fighters, Press Release, 2/16/2017)

UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF AMERICA (UBC):  “Mr. Acosta is an advocate for the middle class. His experience will serve the members of the UBC well.... We look forward to working with him as Secretary of Labor to continue to build the skilled American workforce.” (United Brotherhood Of Carpenters And Joiners Of America, Press Release, 2/16/2017)