Thomas E. Perez was confirmed as secretary of labor by the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 54-46.
Mr. Perez served as Maryland's secretary of labor from 2007 to 2009, before becoming assistant U.S. attorney general for civil rights, where his handling of some cases raised questions from Senate Republicans.
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, in a statement praised Mr. Perez's “strong policy expertise about the many important issues for American workers and businesses that come before DOL each day.” During confirmation hearings before the panel, Mr. Perez said his priorities at the agency would include reducing unemployment and enforcing wage and hour laws.
