Brock Confirmed as Labor Secretary
The Senate on Friday confirmed William E. Brock III as labor secretary by voice vote, permitting him to succeed Raymond J. Donovan, who resigned after learning he would have to stand trial on fraud and larceny charges.
Brock, 54, had served in the Cabinet-level post of U.S. trade representative before President Reagan nominated him. Previously, he had served as a congressman and senator from Tennessee and Republican national chairman.
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) said that Brock had “some hesistation” about taking the labor post but that he would be “good for organized labor, good for the Administration and good for the business community.”
Brock, as trade representative, also earned high marks from many top White House aides.
However, organized labor did not view his congressional voting record on labor issues as a strong one. The AFL-CIO’s Committee on Political Education gave him a 13.7% “correct” rating on his House and Senate votes through 1976.
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