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Obama nominates Thomas Perez for labor secretary Obama nominates Thomas Perez for labor secretary
(12 days later)
President Barack Obama nominated on Monday one of his administration's top civil rights lawyers, Thomas Perez, to head the department of labor.President Barack Obama nominated on Monday one of his administration's top civil rights lawyers, Thomas Perez, to head the department of labor.
The son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Perez, 51, would become the sole Hispanic cabinet member. He would replace outgoing labor secretary Hilda Solis.The son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Perez, 51, would become the sole Hispanic cabinet member. He would replace outgoing labor secretary Hilda Solis.
At least one Republican, David Vitter of Lousiana, said he would place a hold on the nomination. Vitter accused Perez of improperly dismissing a 2009 Justice Department case accusing the New Black Panther party of voter intimidation.At least one Republican, David Vitter of Lousiana, said he would place a hold on the nomination. Vitter accused Perez of improperly dismissing a 2009 Justice Department case accusing the New Black Panther party of voter intimidation.
"Thomas Perez's record should be met with great suspicion by my colleagues for his spotty work related to the New Black Panther case, but Louisianians most certainly should have cause for concern about this nomination," Vitter said."Thomas Perez's record should be met with great suspicion by my colleagues for his spotty work related to the New Black Panther case, but Louisianians most certainly should have cause for concern about this nomination," Vitter said.
Vitter voted against Perez as a member of the judiciary committee, which first reviewed Perez's 2009 nomination to be assistant attorney general. Perez was ultimately confirmed by a vote of 72-22.Vitter voted against Perez as a member of the judiciary committee, which first reviewed Perez's 2009 nomination to be assistant attorney general. Perez was ultimately confirmed by a vote of 72-22.
In the upcoming confirmation, Perez will face a different committee – the health, education, labor and pensions committee. The ranking Republican on the committee, senator Lamar Alexander, released a statement Monday saying he looked forward "to meeting with Mr Perez and examining his record and qualifications.In the upcoming confirmation, Perez will face a different committee – the health, education, labor and pensions committee. The ranking Republican on the committee, senator Lamar Alexander, released a statement Monday saying he looked forward "to meeting with Mr Perez and examining his record and qualifications.
"Any nominee for this position should be ready and able to work with both parties in Congress to make it easier for the private sector to create good jobs for the 12 million workers still unemployed now three and a half years after the recession ended," Alexander said."Any nominee for this position should be ready and able to work with both parties in Congress to make it easier for the private sector to create good jobs for the 12 million workers still unemployed now three and a half years after the recession ended," Alexander said.
Conservatives also object to Perez's support for amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Columnist Michelle Malkin dubbed Perez "Obama's nomination for secretary of (illegal alien) labor."Conservatives also object to Perez's support for amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Columnist Michelle Malkin dubbed Perez "Obama's nomination for secretary of (illegal alien) labor."
Calling Perez "an integral part of our overall economic team," the president said his nominee was proof that "you can make it if you try."Calling Perez "an integral part of our overall economic team," the president said his nominee was proof that "you can make it if you try."
"Like so many Americans, Tom knows what it's like to climb the ladder of opportunity," Obama said."Like so many Americans, Tom knows what it's like to climb the ladder of opportunity," Obama said.
Perez accepted the nomination at a White House ceremony. "Over my career I've learned that true progress is possible if you keep an open mind, listen to all sides and focus on results," said Perez, currently assistant attorney general for the civil rights division of the Department of Justice. "I look forward to taking these lessons with me, if confirmed, to my new role as the secretary of the department of labor."Perez accepted the nomination at a White House ceremony. "Over my career I've learned that true progress is possible if you keep an open mind, listen to all sides and focus on results," said Perez, currently assistant attorney general for the civil rights division of the Department of Justice. "I look forward to taking these lessons with me, if confirmed, to my new role as the secretary of the department of labor."
Perez opened and closed his statement at the nominating ceremony by speaking in Spanish.Perez opened and closed his statement at the nominating ceremony by speaking in Spanish.
"I'll close again, Mr President, by thanking you once again for this tremendous opportunity," he said."I'll close again, Mr President, by thanking you once again for this tremendous opportunity," he said.
"Otra vez, muchissimas gracias, senor presidente, por darme la oportunidad de servir en este papel.""Otra vez, muchissimas gracias, senor presidente, por darme la oportunidad de servir en este papel."
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