The Senate voted 47-41 on Wednesday night to confirm Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor, making permanent his role as acting head of the department and filling a cabinet seat that had been officially empty since April.
The vote split almost entirely along party lines, with every Republican present supporting Sonderling and every Democrat voting against him. Twelve senators were absent, as the chamber is expected to recess on Thursday until after the midterm elections.
Sonderling, 43, had been serving as acting secretary since his predecessor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, resigned earlier this year amid investigations into her family members. He was confirmed as deputy secretary in March, just weeks before taking over the top job.
A veteran of the Department of Labor from Trump's first term, Sonderling also served as a Senate-confirmed member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission until 2024, where he handled workplace discrimination cases.
His nomination drew praise from business groups. Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued a statement Tuesday endorsing the confirmation, calling Sonderling "a highly qualified nominee whose leadership and vision will ensure the Department of Labor continues to uphold its mission while fostering economic growth and job creation."
Democrats, however, used his confirmation hearing in July to criticize his record at the Labor Department, including his rollback of a Biden-era rule that would have expanded overtime pay eligibility for millions of workers. They also voiced broader frustration with the economy under the Trump administration.
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) warned at the hearing: "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."
Sonderling's confirmation comes as the department faces mounting challenges, including rising workplace automation and ongoing labor disputes. His approach to labor policy, which is widely seen as employer-friendly, is likely to shape the administration's stance on issues ranging from wage rules to union organizing rights.
With the midterm elections looming, the confirmation gives President Trump a fully staffed cabinet, though the political battle over labor policy is far from over. As workers face new challenges, Sonderling's leadership will be closely watched by both supporters and critics.
