Senate Confirms Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate voted 47-41 on Wednesday to confirm Keith Sonderling as the secretary of the Department of Labor, officially installing the nominee who has served in an acting capacity since Lori Chavez-DeRemer departed the position in April.

Sonderling, whose nomination was announced by President Trump in June, previously held various roles at the Labor Department and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during Trump’s first administration. Prior to his government service, he practiced employment and labor law at a Florida firm. President Trump cited Sonderling’s “proven dedication to delivering strong results for the Hardworking People of our Country” when putting forward the nomination.

The confirmation follows a period of significant turbulence at the Labor Department. Chavez-DeRemer left her post in late April to return to the private sector, joining a series of recent Cabinet changes that include the dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi and the replacement of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March.

Chavez-DeRemer’s exit came amid intense scrutiny, with multiple news outlets reporting that her conduct was under investigation by the department’s internal watchdog. Earlier this month, the inspector general released a 44-page report characterizing the workplace under her leadership as “toxic, intimidating and humiliating.” The report accused her of violating department policies on multiple occasions. While Sonderling was not a central figure in the findings, the report noted that Chavez-DeRemer and her chief of staff had grown to distrust him.

The Wednesday vote marked the Senate’s final business before recessing for the remainder of the month, allowing lawmakers to begin campaigning ahead of the midterm elections.