Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Yes. The U.S. Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling as secretary of labor on September 30, 2026, by a vote of 47–41, with 12 senators not voting. He had been serving as acting secretary before the confirmation.
How the Senate voted
The Senate’s official record lists the question as confirmation of Keith Sonderling of Florida to be secretary of labor. The nomination passed on September 30, 2026, with 47 votes in favor and 41 against; 12 senators did not vote. The Senate roll-call record identifies this as Vote 256.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
An Introduction to Labor Law | $12.05 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Labor Guide to Labor Law | $60.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Understanding Labor Law (Understanding Series) | $48.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Employment and Labor Law | $55.62 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The SHRM Essential Guide to Employment Law: A Handbook for HR Professionals, Managers, Businesses,... | $28.28 | Buy on Amazon |
Earlier that day, the Senate agreed to end debate on the nomination in a 53–47 cloture vote. The cloture tally was a procedural vote, distinct from the final confirmation vote. The Senate’s Vote 255 record documents that result.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) had voted 12–11 on July 30, 2026, to report the nomination favorably. The committee’s record identifies the nomination as PN1129-119. See the HELP Committee nomination record and its July 30 vote announcement.
#1 Best Overall
Who Keith Sonderling is
Sonderling had been deputy secretary of labor before serving as acting secretary. The Department of Labor says the deputy secretary oversees day-to-day operations, including planning, budget formulation, financial management, information technology and human resources. The department’s official biography also records that President Trump designated Sonderling acting director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics in June 2026, concurrently with his Labor Department role, and that he held other acting federal positions in 2025.
Earlier in his career, Sonderling served as a Republican commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 2020 to 2024, and held Wage and Hour Division leadership roles, including acting and deputy administrator. He first worked at the Labor Department from 2017 to 2020. In a 2025 announcement, DOL said he helped develop a self-audit program that collected more than $7 million for nearly 11,000 workers. That figure is the department’s account of the program, not an independently audited result. Read DOL’s March 18, 2025 announcement.
Rank #2
What senators said during the confirmation process
Senators framed the appointment in sharply different terms. Their statements reflect political arguments about expected policy, not evidence of what Sonderling will do as secretary.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Sen. Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, raised concerns about overtime protections, unions and the administration’s policies. At the confirmation hearing, she said, “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. Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana and HELP Committee chair, expressed confidence that Sonderling would protect workers, support job creation and help workers navigate AI-driven changes in the workforce.
The Associated Press also reported Democratic opposition tied to administration policies, including Labor’s management of some Department of Education grant programs. The senators’ remarks and the reported objections are summarized in AP’s coverage of the confirmation.
Rank #3
What the confirmation establishes—and what it does not
The Senate’s vote establishes that Sonderling was confirmed to lead the Labor Department. The department describes the secretary’s role as advising the president on labor and workforce matters and leading enforcement of federal laws that protect wages, workplace safety and health, and retirement and health benefits.
The confirmation records and contemporaneous coverage do not establish what policies Sonderling will adopt or what effects they will have. Those questions depend on later agency actions and should be assessed against those actions rather than inferred from the confirmation vote or senators’ predictions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
