The U.S. Senate has confirmed Thomas Perez as secretary of Labor, becoming the first Dominican-American and sole Latino member of President Barack Obama's Cabinet.
Perez was confirmed in a narrow 54-46 vote, the closest vote for any of President Obama's second-term Cabinet nominees.
Perez's confirmation comes after senators came into an agreement in regards to Democrats' threats to change the Senate's filibuster rules. The filibuster changes, if implemented, would remove the minority party's ability to block nominations set forth by the executive branch.
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President Obama nominated Perez in March following the resignation of former California congresswoman Hilda Solis.
In a statement from the Office of the Press Secretary, President Obama said he welcomes Perez's confirmation as secretary of Labor.
"Tom has lived the American dream himself, and has dedicated his career to keeping it within reach for hardworking families across the country," added President Obama. "At the Department of Labor, Tom will help us continue to grow our economy, help businesses create jobs, make sure workers have the skills those jobs require, and ensure safe workplaces and economic opportunity for all."
Perez's confirmation comes on the same day the Senate confirmed Gina McCarthy as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in a 59-40 vote.
"I want to thank the Senate once again for agreeing to move forward on Tom and the other nominees who have waited far too long for the yes-or-no votes they deserve," said the commander-in-chief.
President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have since met with Perez and McCarthy in the Oval Office following the confirmations.
POTUS and VP meet w just-confirmed Cabinet Secretaries Thomas Perez (Labor) and Gina McCarthy (EPA) in Oval Office pic.twitter.com/aatyLLjObk
— petesouza (@petesouza) July 18, 2013
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