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President Trump Taps Eugene Scalia to Head Labor Department

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Eugene Scalia, an attorney with Gibson Dunn, has been nominated by President Trump to take the reins at the U.S. Department of Labor, with Deputy Secretary of Labor Pat Pizzella leading the Department as Acting Secretary until Mr. Scalia’s confirmation by the Senate.

Mr. Scalia served as solicitor of the Labor Department during the George W. Bush administration and more recently as partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.  He is well known to the Association and has worked closely with us over the years on a number of efforts.

Mr. Pizzella spoke at the HR Policy Spring Labor and Employment Conference in May, emphasizing the Department's commitment to deregulation, enforcement, and compliance assistance through the renewed use of opinion letters and other tools.

Looking ahead:  Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, vacancies that do not date from inauguration day, which is the case here, can be filled by an acting official for only 210 days.  However, if there is a nomination pending before the Senate, then the acting official can continue to serve until the nominee is either confirmed or rejected.  While Mr. Scalia is expected to be confirmed, Senate Democrats are gearing up to offer fierce opposition.