Senate Confirms Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary Amid Election Push

The Senate approved Keith Sonderling as the Labor Department secretary with a 47-41 margin, finalizing his transition from acting secretary to permanent leader. Sonderling, a former senior advisor during Trump’s first term and a former EEOC Republican member, has held multiple positions within the department, including deputy secretary since March of last year. Senators voted before departing for the midterm campaign trail, with Republicans praising his qualifications and Democrats voicing concerns over his support for policies that could weaken worker protections.

He replaces Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who left the post for a private-sector role after facing accusations of abusing her authority. The confirmation occurs as the administration pursues its pledge to dismantle the Department of Education and reshape labor regulations.