Sonderling Nominated to serve as Secretary of Labor

On June 29, President Trump nominated Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to serve as the permanent head of the Department of Labor. The nomination now heads to the Senate for confirmation. Sonderling has been leading the agency since April after the resignation of former Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Before assuming the department's top role on an interim basis, he was confirmed by the Senate as deputy labor secretary in March 2025 after previously serving in several labor and employment-related positions during Trump's first administration

In announcing the nomination, Trump praised Sonderling's record and said he would continue advancing the administration's labor agenda. Sonderling thanked the president for his confidence and said that, if confirmed, he looks forward to serving America's workers, families, unions, and job creators.

During Trump's first term, he served as Acting Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division and later became a commissioner and vice chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Since returning to the Labor Department in 2025 as deputy secretary, he has overseen department operations and helped shape workforce and regulatory policy.

As acting secretary, Sonderling has recently emphasized efforts to combat unemployment insurance fraud and streamline department operations. If confirmed, supporters say his experience and familiarity with the department make him well suited for the permanent role.

SMACNA, which has had a positive working relationship with Sonderling, looks forward to continuing its work with the nominee and the Department of Labor, should he be confirmed. Building on its longstanding partnership with DOL across many administrations, SMACNA recently hosted the Acting Secretary for a policy roundtable at the SMCA Chapter in Philadelphia and the surrounding area, followed by a shop tour at Prime Sheet Metal.  It is SMACNA’s goal to advance policies that strengthen the skilled workforce, expand apprenticeship and workforce development opportunities, and support a strong and competitive construction industry.