Senate Confirms William Beach to Head BLS (1)

The Senate this afternoon confirmed William Beach, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Labor Department agency tasked with collecting, analyzing, and disseminating economic data such as the monthly jobless report.

The chamber voted 55-44 for Beach to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Beach, vice president for policy research at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center, is one of several DOL nominees that have been awaiting Senate confirmation.

Beach’s nomination drew reservations by Senate Democrats, such as HELP Committee ranking member Patty Murray (Wash.), who has questioned Beach’s commitment to remaining impartial about data. The president on the campaign trail ...