CEI joins coalition in support of Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor

Dear Chairman Cassidy:

We write in strong support of the nomination of Keith Sonderling to serve as Secretary of Labor and respectfully urge the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions to report his nomination favorably so the full Senate can move swiftly to confirm him.

Keith Sonderling has already proven he is well-qualified to lead the Department. As Acting Secretary Labor, he has provided steady leadership while ensuring American workers and employers alike benefit from clear, consistent enforcement of federal labor laws. His success in that role builds on his tenure as Deputy Secretary, where he gained firsthand experience managing the Department’s operations and advancing its mission. Together, these positions have given him an exceptional understanding of the Department of Labor and the experience needed to serve successfully as Secretary.

He also brings unique experience to the position. As a Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Mr. Sonderling earned respect for his thoughtful approach to enforcing our nation’s workplace civil rights laws. Earlier, as Acting Administrator and Deputy Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, he oversaw enforcement of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other federal workplace laws. Few nominees have brought such broad leadership experience across the federal government’s labor and employment agencies.

Mr. Sonderling has also been at the forefront of discussions about the future of work. He has consistently encouraged innovation and the responsible adoption of new technologies while ensuring workers remain protected under existing laws as the economy advances.

The Department of Labor has a vital responsibility to support a strong American workforce, promote economic opportunity, and ensure that our labor laws are administered fairly and effectively. Confirming a Secretary with Mr. Sonderling’s experience, institutional knowledge, and proven experience will help the Department continue to fulfill that mission.

For these reasons, we respectfully urge the Committee to report Mr. Sonderling’s nomination favorably and encourage the Senate to confirm him promptly so he can continue the important work he has already begun.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

F. Vincent Vernuccio
President
Institute for the American Worker

Lisa B. Nelson
Chief Executive Officer
ALEC Action

Chip Rogers
Chief Executive Officer
Americans for Fair Treatment

Grover Norquist
President
Americans for Tax Reform

Russ Brown
President
Center for Independent Employees

Rowan Saydlowski
Director
Center for Worker Freedom

Gene Hamilton
Senior Advisor
The Coalition to Protect American Workers (CPAW)

Sean Higgins
Research Fellow
Competitive Enterprise Institute

Akash Chougule
President
The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP)

Rusty Brown
Southern Director
Freedom Foundation

Mailee Smith
Vice President of Policy and Litigation
Illinois Policy

Paul Gessing
President
Rio Grande Foundation