Alexander: The Senate Should Confirm Eugene Scalia to Serve as Secretary of Labor

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2019 — Senate labor committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that the Senate should confirm Eugene Scalia to serve as Secretary of Labor.

“I have received 32 letters in support of Mr. Scalia’s nomination from small business owners, employers, workers, and Mr. Scalia’s colleagues and mentees, including a number of women and former career attorneys at the Department of Labor,” Alexander said in a speech delivered this afternoon on the Senate floor.

“Former Obama Administration official Cass Sunstein wrote, ‘His decency is part of what makes him someone who tends to go case-by-case, and to end up where the facts and the law take him… He does not have an ideological straightjacket. He takes issues on their merits,’” Alexander continued.

“Cecilia Madan, a deaf immigrant who Mr. Scalia helped with an employment issue, wrote, ‘I hope you soon will allow this advocate for justice and fairness in the workforce to have an opportunity to serve the people of the United States-my adopted country-as Secretary of Labor.’”

“Thomas Susman, who was Senator Kennedy’s Counsel, wrote, ‘Gene is precisely the kind of person that our country needs in the Cabinet: experienced, ethical, professional, open-minded, fair, and brilliant.’”

“A former mentee of Mr. Scalia’s wrote, ‘I have no doubt that someone with this level of commitment to others – who gives of himself without expecting anything in return – will stand up for all workers across the country and will prioritize their interests above any others.’”

“Career employees of the Department of Labor who worked with Mr. Scalia while he was Solicitor wrote, ‘As Solicitor of Labor, he analyzed complicated legal issues on a daily basis. He was always willing to listen to divergent views… He was fair, open and honest and listened attentively when we discussed legal issues with him… we believe that Gene would be an outstanding Secretary of Labor.’”

“Former University of Chicago Law Review Editorial Board members, from Mr. Scalia’s time as Editor-in-Chief, wrote, ‘Our individual perspectives and views played no role in determining what we would publish or by whom, and in this regard Gene as our leader set a strong example.’”

“And the Fraternal Order of Police wrote, ‘President Trump has made an outstanding choice in nominating Eugene Scalia to be the next Secretary of the Department of Labor. We have every confidence that this knowledge of labor law, his commitment to the rule of law and his understanding of the limitations the law places on him and the Department will prove him to be a highly effect Secretary.’”

Alexander concluded: “Senators have known since July 18 – more than two months ago – that President Trump wanted Mr. Scalia to serve as the next Labor Secretary. Mr. Scalia is well qualified to lead the Department of Labor, and I encourage my colleagues to support his nomination.”

The Senate labor committee approved Eugene Scalia’s nomination on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. The nomination is expected to be considered by the full Senate later this week.

View Chairman Alexander’s prepared floor remarks here. 

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