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The Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling as secretary of labor Wednesday, formally installing President Donald Trump’s nominee after Sonderling had led the department in an acting capacity for months.
The Senate voted 47-41 along party lines to confirm Sonderling, who has held several positions at the Department of Labor and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during Trump’s first administration.
Trump nominated Sonderling in June, praising his “dedication to delivering strong results for the Hardworking People of our Country.”
Sonderling became acting labor secretary in late April after Lori Chavez-DeRemer left the administration for the private sector. Before joining the federal government, he practiced employment and labor law at a Florida firm.
Chavez-DeRemer’s departure
Chavez-DeRemer’s exit came amid scrutiny of her tenure at the Labor Department. Earlier this month, the department’s inspector general released a 44-page report describing what it called a “toxic, intimidating and humiliating” workplace and accused Chavez-DeRemer of violating department policies.
The report also said Chavez-DeRemer and her chief of staff eventually grew distrustful of Sonderling, though he was not a central figure in the investigation.
Her departure was part of a broader series of Cabinet changes during Trump’s second term.
Sonderling takes permanent role
As labor secretary, Sonderling will oversee an agency responsible for enforcing federal workplace laws, administering employment programs and regulating issues ranging from wages and workplace safety to retirement security.
His confirmation came as the Senate prepared to leave Washington for the rest of the month, with lawmakers returning to the campaign trail ahead of the November midterm elections.
