Why It Matters

The committee vote highlighted sharp partisan divisions over the Trump administration's labor agenda, with Democrats arguing the nomination would signal a return to policies they say favor employers over workers.

During the July 31 Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee business meeting, Chair Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said the committee would proceed with the nomination despite the absence of several Republican members. The meeting was a procedural business meeting rather than a confirmation hearing with witness testimony.

The Big Picture

Democratic senators focused their criticism on Keith Sonderling's support for the Workforce Development Partnership between the Department of Labor and the Department of Education, as well as his backing of President Donald Trump's labor policies.

According to Jackson Lewis, the Labor Department under Sonderling could continue emphasizing compliance assistance and rulemaking intended to clarify agency regulations while reducing regulatory burdens on employers.

The National Education Association argued that Sonderling "cannot be trusted to lead the agency charged with protecting America's workers, or to administer education programs as Congress intended."

What They're Saying

Democratic senators sharply criticized the nomination during committee proceedings. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) told Sonderling: "I fear any vote to confirm you is for more of the same: to strip overtime protections for our workers, to undercut our unions and to let giant corporations get away with robbery, literally."

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) voiced strong support for the nominee. According to Spectrum News, Scott said Sonderling was "without a doubt qualified to serve as the next Labor secretary."

Several Republican committee members were absent because of family emergencies or other family commitments. Cassidy instructed Republican members supporting the nomination to be present for the vote while Democratic members opposed to the nomination could depart after opening statements. The committee then proceeded to vote on the nomination.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said both junior and senior Democratic members were present in solidarity. Sanders voted against advancing Sonderling's nomination.

Political Stakes

For the Trump administration, the committee vote represents another step toward installing a Labor secretary aligned with its deregulatory labor agenda. If confirmed by the Senate, Sonderling would lead the department as the administration pursues policies intended to reduce regulatory burdens on employers.

Democrats' unified opposition reflects an effort to portray the Republican-controlled Senate and the administration's labor agenda as unfavorable to workers.

The committee's decision to proceed despite absent Republican members also signaled the majority's determination to continue moving executive branch nominees through the confirmation process.

The Other Side

Republicans argue that Sonderling's experience in business and government makes him well qualified to lead the Labor Department more efficiently. Because the meeting was a procedural business session rather than a confirmation hearing, committee members engaged in limited substantive debate over the nominee's policy positions.

The full Senate is expected to consider Sonderling's nomination following the committee's action.

The Bottom Line

The committee advanced Keith Sonderling's nomination after a party-line dispute that underscored broader divisions over the Trump administration's labor agenda.

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