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President Donald Trump has secured a permanent leader for the Department of Labor after the Senate voted Wednesday night to confirm Keith Sonderling, bringing an end to months of uncertainty following the departure of his predecessor.
The Senate approved Sonderling’s nomination in a 47-41 vote, officially making him the nation’s 31st secretary of labor. The confirmation came just before lawmakers departed Washington to campaign ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Although the vote formally places Sonderling at the head of the department, he has already spent nearly six months overseeing its operations. He assumed the role of acting secretary in April after Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned following allegations of misconduct.
Sonderling’s confirmation gives the Trump administration a Senate-approved Cabinet official to oversee its labor priorities, including changes to workplace regulations, workforce development and the growing use of artificial intelligence across American industries.
The new secretary has extensive experience in federal labor policy. During Trump’s first administration, Sonderling held senior positions at the Labor Department before joining the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as a Republican commissioner.
He returned to the department during Trump’s second term and was confirmed as deputy secretary in March 2025. Before entering government service, Sonderling practiced employment law in Florida and taught at George Washington University.
Trump announced his intention to nominate Sonderling for the top position on June 29. His nomination subsequently cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in a narrow 12-11 vote.
Republican lawmakers supported his confirmation, pointing to his experience with federal employment regulations and his understanding of the challenges facing American businesses.
The nomination also received support from major business organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which praised Sonderling’s qualifications and regulatory experience.
Democrats and labor advocates, however, opposed his confirmation, citing concerns about the administration’s approach to workplace protections and its efforts to reduce federal regulation.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) criticized the administration’s labor policies during Sonderling’s confirmation hearing, arguing that they threatened overtime protections and organized labor while benefiting large corporations.
The confirmation follows a difficult period for the department after Chavez-DeRemer’s departure in April.
A September report from the Labor Department’s inspector general detailed allegations that the former secretary improperly used government resources, violated department policies and oversaw a hostile workplace environment.
Investigators also documented allegations involving personal travel at government expense and an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail. Chavez-DeRemer disputed the accusations, and her attorney maintained that she had not violated the law.
His permanent appointment comes as the department works on policies involving employee classification, wage regulations and the relationship between employers and workers.
Sonderling will also oversee federal workplace safety enforcement, retirement benefit protections and programs designed to prepare Americans for changing employment opportunities.
With Wednesday’s confirmation complete, the Trump administration now has a permanent labor secretary to oversee those responsibilities and implement its priorities as lawmakers prepare for the November elections.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
