Senate confirms Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta

Cuban-American becomes only Hispanic to join Trump's Cabinet

MIAMI – The Senate voted 60-38 to confirm Alexander Acosta as labor secretary Thursday.

Acosta, 48, the son of Cuban-American migrants and a Miami native, is the only Hispanic to join President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. 

The former U.S. attorney for Florida’s southern district, Florida International University law school dean, and member of the board of U.S. Century Bank was Trump's second nominee. 

Trump nominated Acosta in February after fast-food executive Andrew Puzder withdrew after he admitted to hiring an undocumented domestic worker. 

When Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced Acosta at his confirmation hearing, he said Acosta was a "brilliant legal mind, someone with deep knowledge of labor issues and a proven leader." Rubio is an adjunct professor at FIU. 

Acosta will resign to both of his positions at FIU and U.S. Century Bank. 

 

 


About the Author:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.