U.S. Senate confirms Obama's pick for Labor Secretary

U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Thomas Perez as Secretary of Labor, elevating a Hispanic to President Barack Obama's second-term cabinet.

In a party-line vote of 54 to 46, senators endorsed Perez, who is the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic and currently assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's civil rights division.

As a lawyer with a degree from Harvard Law school, Perez, 51, spent his entire career in public service. He prosecuted and supervised some of the Justice Department's most high-profile civil rights cases.

"I welcome today's confirmation of Tom Perez to serve as Secretary of Labor," Obama said in a statement.

"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," he added.

Perez will succeed Hilda Solis, who stepped down in January.