Controversial Nominee to Labor Post Through Senate Subcommittee

By R. Michael

The Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee voted 11-10 in favor of the nomination of Eugene Scalia as the Labor Department's top lawyer to the full Senate for consideration Tuesday, October 16. As labor solicitor, Scalia would be regarded as a top lieutenant to Secretary Elaine Chao.

Scalia has received opposition from Unions, Senate democrats, and many who feel his relation to Supreme Court Justice Scalia could possibly hinder his enforcement of labor laws.

Committee Chairman Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass. said on Tuesday, ``Mr. Scalia is well-known for his long-standing opposition to workers' rights and protections. Throughout his career, he has worked against job health and job safety protections for workers.'

The defining vote came from Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-Vt., saying that a majority in Congress, not just Scalia, also thought that OSHA's proposed ergonomics program rule was a bad rule when it was repealed in the spring.