Keith Sonderling has been confirmed as US labour secretary, formally taking charge of the Department of Labor after serving as its acting head since April. The Senate approved his appointment by 47 votes to 41.
Sonderling assumed the acting role after Lori Chavez-DeRemer left the post for the private sector. President Donald Trump nominated him in June, saying he had “proven his dedication to delivering strong results for the Hardworking People of our Country”.
He held several positions at the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during Mr Trump’s first administration. Before entering government, Sonderling worked in employment and labour law at a Florida firm.
His confirmation follows a period of upheaval at the department. Chavez-DeRemer’s departure came after scrutiny of her conduct and reports that the Labor Department’s internal watchdog was examining it.
An inspector general’s report issued earlier this month described the workplace under Chavez-DeRemer as “toxic, intimidating and humiliating” and accused her of breaching department policies on several fronts. Sonderling was mentioned only briefly, including in a passage stating that Chavez-DeRemer and her chief of staff had come to distrust him.
The Senate vote was its final order of business before lawmakers left Washington for the rest of the month to campaign ahead of the midterm elections.
