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Policy Week in Review - February 28, 2025
The Policy Week in Review, prepared by Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), sets forth WPI’s updates on federal, state, and local matters, as well as Littler’s published in-depth analyses of the prior week.
Congressional and Administrative News
Labor Secretary Nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer Approved by Senate HELP Committee
Former Rep. Lori Chavea-DeRemer was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Thursday by a vote of 14-9, with Democratic Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) supporting her. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), citing her previous support of pro-labor legislation, was the sole Republican to vote against her. Her nomination will now move the Senate floor for a final vote.
Senate HELP Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing on Deputy Labor Secretary Nominee Keith Sonderling
On Thursday, the Senate HELP Committee held a confirmation hearing to consider the nomination of Keith Sonderling to be the deputy labor secretary. Sonderling previously led the Department’s Wage and Hour Division under the first Trump administration and, more recently, served as a commissioner to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. For further insights on Sonderling’s experience and qualifications, please read our insight report here. The Committee is scheduled to vote on Sonderling’s nomination on Thursday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
House Education and Workforce Committee Holds Hearing on Strengthening America’s Workforce
On Wednesday, the House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing titled, “America’s Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy.” The focus of the hearing was to address the challenges that American workers and businesses have faced since the COVID-19 pandemic and the policy solutions to get the nation’s workforce on track. Ms. Beth Milito, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) Small Business Legal Center, testified that small businesses continue to struggle to fill open positions and that business owners are increasing compensation and benefits to recruit talent and remain competitive. Ms. Milito also stressed the urgent need to provide small business owners with regulatory certainty and the avoidance of “one-size-fits-all, inflexible and costly mandates from Washington D.C. and state capitals around the country which disproportionately impact small business that operate without compliance, lawyers, or human resource departments.” In her closing remarks, Ms. Milito concluded, “Making it more expensive to hire employees will not lead to more hiring.” For additional information about the hearing, read here.
U.S. DOL Appoints Randy Johnson as Administrative Review Board Chair
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor appointed Randy Johnson as the chair of the Administrative Review Board, which issues agency decisions in cases arising from worker protection laws. For decades, Randy led the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s labor and employment policy division, including the Labor Relations Committee. More recently, he served as a fellow at Cornell Law School teaching immigration law.
Bipartisan Immigration Legislation Reintroduced
The bipartisan “American Dream and Promise Act,” H.R. 1589, was reintroduced this week. The legislation, which is identical to the version that passed the House in the 117th Congress and reintroduced in the 118th Congress, would provide permanent legal status to Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children, and includes recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) beneficiaries. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) and Maria Salazar (R-FL) and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee for consideration.
