Manchin votes for Bluefield native to lead federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Oct. 22—WASHINGTON — A native of Mercer County won a vote Thursday in the U.S. Senate which took him a step closer to becoming the next person to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), according to the office of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.

Manchin voted Thursday for fellow West Virginian Doug Parker to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Parker has previously served at Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and the Department of Labor (DOL).

"Mr. Parker is a dedicated public servant who has extensive experience fighting for better, safer workplaces at OSHA, MSHA, and UMWA," Manchin said. "His experience uniquely qualifies him to lead OSHA in fighting for the safety of our hard-working fellow Americans. I am proud to vote for a fellow West Virginian to serve the American people and look forward to working with Mr. Parker to ensure safe workplaces for all West Virginians and Americans."

Parker said that he was born in Bluefield and lived in the Green Valley area of Mercer County before his family moved to Lynchburg, Va.

The U.S. Senate voted Thursday by 51 to 47 to invoke cloture on the Parker nomination. A confirmation vote is expected around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25.

Cloture means to end the debate about Parker's nomination, according to Jesse Lawder, deputy assistant secretary of labor for public affairs.

"It's a procedural step toward a full Senate vote," he said. "It ends the debate. He hasn't been quite confirmed yet."

Lawder said that Parker would not be available for additional comment until after his confirmation.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com

Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com