President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has nominated Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to serve as the next Secretary of Labor on a permanent basis, subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
If confirmed, Sonderling would formally lead the U.S. Department of Labor after serving as acting secretary during the department’s recent leadership transition.
Sonderling’s Government Experience
Sonderling is a labor attorney who has held several senior positions in the federal government, including roles involving labor policy, employment law, and ethics oversight.
Before becoming Acting Secretary of Labor, he served as:
- Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division
- Commissioner at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics
- Acting Head of the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Announcing the nomination, President Trump praised Sonderling’s experience and record in public service.
“Throughout his career, Keith has proven his dedication to delivering strong results for the hardworking people of our country,” Trump wrote.
Sonderling thanked the president for the nomination and said he would continue advancing the department’s priorities if confirmed by the Senate.
“If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to continuing that service as Secretary of Labor and advancing the president’s agenda on behalf of America’s workers and families,” he said.
Leadership Transition at the Department of Labor
The nomination follows the departure of former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer earlier this year.
Her resignation came after reports regarding workplace management and personnel issues within the department. Chavez-DeRemer disputed the allegations before leaving office.
Since assuming the role on an acting basis, Sonderling has overseen ongoing Labor Department operations while the administration prepared a permanent nomination.
Policy Priorities
During his time as Acting Secretary, Sonderling has focused on oversight of federally funded unemployment programs.
One recent directive asked state and territorial governors to strengthen safeguards against waste, fraud, and abuse in unemployment insurance systems. The department indicated that federal administrative funding could be affected if states fail to meet compliance requirements.
Labor policy analysts say his nomination suggests the administration intends to continue emphasizing regulatory enforcement, workforce participation, and oversight of federal labor programs.
Senate Confirmation Ahead
The nomination will now move to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to examine Sonderling’s qualifications, policy priorities, and plans for the Department of Labor.
Committee hearings are likely to address issues including:
- workplace safety enforcement
- unemployment insurance administration
- wage and hour regulations
- labor compliance initiatives
- broader workforce policy under the administration
If confirmed, Sonderling would become the administration’s permanent Labor Secretary and oversee one of the federal government’s largest cabinet agencies, which administers labor laws affecting millions of workers and employers nationwide.
About Republican Column: At Republican Column, we bring you breaking U.S. news, politics, and global developments every day to keep you informed.