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April 27, 2017
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The Senate has just voted 60-38 to approve Alexander Acosta as Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL). Acosta fills the post that President Trump's first nominee, Andrew Puzder, withdrew from under pressure about revelations in his personal life.
Acosta is viewed as a more moderate secretary over Puzder, having served on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and as head of the civil rights division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). He has also been a U.S. Attorney in Florida. Puzder spent his life in business in management roles, lastly as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hardee's and Carl Jr.'s, from which he just resigned.
Two issues facing Acosta immediately are the fates of the fiduciary rule, which the DOL has delayed until June 9 but is also still under review and reconsideration, and of the Obama-era overtime rule, raising the salary exemption threshold from $22,660 a year to $47,476. In Senate testimony, Acosta hinted he would like to rewrite the rule and lower the threshold closer to $30,000 a year;.
