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Bonamici Statement on Resignation of Labor Secretary Acosta

July 12, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC [7/12/19] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chair of the Education & Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, released the following statement after the resignation of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta.

"As a prosecutor, Alexander Acosta denied survivors justice and gave Jeffrey Epstein, who was and is accused of child sex trafficking, a deal that did not serve justice," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "We have had concerns about the case since his nomination, and his resignation is long overdue. Mr. Acosta's actions during his tenure at the Department of Labor continued to demonstrate that he is more interested in protecting the powerful and wealthy than improving the lives of working families across the country.

"The Secretary of Labor has a responsibility to advance the best interest of workers. President Trump should nominate someone who will work to strengthen collective bargaining rights, raise stagnant wages, and help workers save for a secure retirement."

Bonamici has criticized Acosta's involvement in the Epstein case and joined 67 of her colleagues in calling for his resignation. She has also challenged Acosta on his failure to protect workers from wage discrimination, the proposal of a harmful tip rule, and other policy decisions.

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