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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

VICTORY: Disability Rights Leader Tom Perez Confirmed As Secretary of Labor!

Congratulations, NCIL Advocates!

Leaders in the Senate reached an agreement on Tuesday to allow five of President Barack Obama’s seven nominees a vote on the Senate Floor without a Republican filibuster.

Today, Tom Perez, who currently heads the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, was confirmed as the next Secretary of Labor. The confirmation required a simple majority and passed by a vote of 54-46.

The National Council on Independent Living has been a strong supporter of Mr. Perez’s nomination to lead Department of Labor, primarily due to his steadfast commitment to civil rights and Americans with disabilities.

Today is a day for celebration. NCIL would like to thank our members for their advocacy. Your commitment to protecting the rights and advancing the interests of Americans with Disabilities continues to amaze us.

Within the next few hours, the Secretary of the Senate will post the results of the Senate Roll Call vote at this link. See which Senators voted in favor of Perez’s confirmation and those who voted against it. Then, contact Your Senator to tell them what their vote meant to you.