USCM Endorses Chavez-DeRemer for DOL Secretary
Washington Update
Appropriations
On January 14, House GOP leaders unveiled their strategy and timeline for unlocking reconciliation through adoption of a budget resolution and then passage of a party-line package in “one big beautiful bill”. House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington (TX) stated that the numbers in his budget resolution, key for unlocking the reconciliation process, will be driven by the policy priorities of other GOP committee chairs, adopting a “bottom-up” approach. Arrington aims to have the resolution ready by mid-February, adhering to an aggressive timeline set by GOP leaders.
On the debt limit, Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the need for bipartisan negotiations, but House Democrats, led by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT), have pushed back, insisting that Republicans take responsibility for addressing the issue. DeLauro emphasized the importance of separating issues like debt limit, appropriations, and reconciliation, urging that appropriations bills should be prioritized immediately.
In line with this, Speaker Johnson and House Republicans outlined a six-week schedule for advancing their budget resolution and reconciliation package central to President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda. Key dates include:
Week of Feb. 10: House Budget Committee approval and floor vote on the budget resolution.
Week of Feb. 17: Senate vote-a-rama to adopt the budget resolution.
Feb. 27: Final bicameral resolution vote after negotiations.
By Easter: House passage of a reconciliation package.
By Memorial Day: Final reconciliation passage.
On January 17, House Budget Committee Republicans released a more detailed proposal for the reconciliation package, which includes cost estimates for corporate tax cuts, adjustments to the SALT cap, expansion of the endowment tax, and a border adjustment tax.
Click here to access the House Budget Committee reconciliation document.
House Education and the Workforce Committee
On Wednesday, January 15, at the first meeting of the House Education and Workforce Committee for the 119th Congress, Chairman Tim Walberg (MI) outlined priorities, including addressing college affordability, expanding school choice, and holding schools accountable for antisemitism. He emphasized his commitment to advancing President Trump’s agenda, vowing zero tolerance for “career bureaucrats” undermining the president's goals. The committee is also focused on oversight of federal spending, particularly in collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to eliminate $1 trillion in unauthorized or misused expenditures. Walberg emphasized aggressive oversight of 21 education and workforce-related laws with expired authorizations that continue to receive funding. Investigations will also target issues like antisemitism, anti-Americanism, parental rights, and the Student Aid Administration.
Walberg expressed a strong commitment to reducing college costs, expanding school choice, and challenging “woke” higher education institutions, while prioritizing student outcomes and teacher support in K-12 education. Reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), stripped from a year-end bill, remains contentious. Walberg reaffirmed the committee’s intention to pursue Trump’s education policies. Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) reaffirmed Democrats' refusal to compromise on values, opposing “rubber-stamping” Trump’s agenda but supporting WIOA reauthorization, which aims to connect workers with good-paying jobs.Both leaders called for civility in discussions, with Walberg supporting productive debates. Scott advocated for greater use of remote testimony to increase participation in committee hearings, which Walberg agreed to explore, along with field hearings as an alternative. Walberg also introduced structural reforms, including electronic voting, to enhance committee efficiency
House Education and Workforce Subcommittee Members
On Tuesday, January 14, House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (MI) and ranking member Bobby Scott (VA) both announced subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress:
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
Chairman: Congressman Kevin Kiley (CA)Ranking Member: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR)
Democrats: Representatives Raúl Grijalva (AZ), Jahana Hayes (CT), Summer Lee (PA), John Mannion (NY), Frederica Wilson (FL), Alma Adams (NC)Republicans: Representatives Mary Miller (IL - Vice), Virginia Foxx (NC), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA), Burgess Owens (UT), Michael Rulli (OH), Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA), Mark Harris (NC), Mark Messmer (IN).
Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development
Chairman: Congressman Burgess Owens (UT)Ranking Member: Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC)
Democrats: Representatives Frederica Wilson (FL), Mark Takano (CA), Lucy McBath (GA), Donald Norcross (NJ), Raúl Grijalva (AZ), Joe Courtney (CT), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), Mark DeSaulnier (CA), Ilhan Omar (MN)Republicans: Representatives Michael Baumgartner (WA - Vice Chair), Joe Wilson (SC), Virginia Foxx (NC), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA), Glenn Grothman (WI), Elise Stefanik (NY), Lisa McClain (MI), Kevin Kiley (CA), Erin Houchin (IN), Robert Onder (MO), Mark Harris (NC).
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
Chairman: Congressman Rick Allen (GA)Ranking Member: Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA)
Democrats: Representatives Joe Courtney (CT), Donald Norcross (NJ), Lucy McBath (GA), Jahana Hayes (CT), Greg Casar (TX), Summer Lee (PA), John Mannion (NY), Mark Takano (CA).Republicans: Robert Onder (MO -Vice Chair), Joe Wilson (SC), Virginia Foxx (NC), James Comer (KY), Burgess Owens (UT), Lisa McClain (MI), Erin Houchin (IN), Michael Rulli (OH), Ryan Mackenzie (PA), Michael Baumgartner.
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
Chairman: Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA)Ranking Member: Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN)
Democrats: Representatives Haley Stevens (MI), Greg Casar (TX), Mark Takano (CA)Republicans: Representatives Mark Messmer (IN - Vice Chair), Glenn Grothman (WI), Elise Stefanik (NY), James Comer (KY), Mary Miller (IL).
Additionally, Congressman Greg Casar (TX) was appointed vice ranking member of the full committee, with Representatives Summer Lee (PA.) and John Mannion (NY) also joining the panel.
Click here to access the full GOP press release.
Click here to access the full Democratic press release.
House Appropriations GOP Subcommittee Rosters
On January 15, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (OK) unveiled the Republican subcommittee rosters for the 119th Congress. Cole emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility, effective governance, and advancing policies aligned with the priorities of the American people. He expressed confidence in the assembled team’s ability to address opportunities and challenges while fulfilling Congress’s Article I responsibilities. GOP members of the Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies include: Chairman Robert Aderholt (AL), Vice Chair Julia Letlow; Representatives Mike Simpson (ID); Andy Harris (MD); Chuck Fleischmann (TN); John Moolenaar (MI); Andrew Clyde (GA); Jake Ellzey (TX); Stephanie Bice (OK); and Riley Moore (WV).
Click here to access the full press release.
Department of Labor Leadership
On Wednesday, January 22, The U.S. Conference of Mayors sent a letter to Senate House, Education, Labor and Pensions Chair Bill Cassidy (LA) and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (VT) endorsing former Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, touting her former role as mayor of Happy Valley (OR) and proven record as a strong, bipartisan leader in Congress. Chavez-DeRemer also secured an endorsement from The International Franchise Association (IFA), citing her support for the franchise business model, including her vote to overturn the Biden administration’s joint-employer rule. IFA President Matt Haller emphasized her potential to foster growth in the franchise sector and urged Senate confirmation. Chavez-DeRemer has been actively seeking support for her nomination, meeting with Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Chair Bill Cassidy and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Cassidy praised her commitment to improving the DOL for both workers and businesses. Chavez-DeRemer did not disclose whether her past support for the PRO Act was discussed during these meetings.
On Tuesday, January 14, President-elect Donald Trump announced the nomination of Keith Sonderling as Deputy Secretary of Labor, alongside Chavez-DeRemer. Sonderling, a former Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) appointee and acting head of the Wage and Hour Division in Trump’s first term, is expected to align with Trump’s labor policy goals. Sonderling has been involved in Trump’s transition efforts, focusing on labor and EEOC matters. Known for his work on artificial intelligence in the workplace, he supports leveraging technology without disadvantaging workers. Business groups are likely to welcome his nomination, contrasting their initial hesitation over Chavez-DeRemer’s ties to unions and support for the union-friendly PRO Act while in Congress. Sonderling’s Senate confirmation, which he previously navigated in 2020, is anticipated to proceed smoothly given Republican control, though Democrats may challenge his prior record on limiting joint-employer liability under labor laws.
Meanwhile, Vincent Micone, a career DOL staffer, will serve as acting Labor Secretary pending Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation hearing. Previously, he was deputy assistant secretary for operations, managing IT and other support services. Keith Sonderling, a member of Trump’s DOL landing team, will be a senior adviser to Micone.
Click here to read the USCM endorsement letter.
Senate HELP Committee
On Tuesday, January 21, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (LA) formally organized and outlined the committee’s education priorities for the new Congress. Cassidy emphasized addressing rising antisemitic incidents on college campuses, reintroducing legislation with Senator John Fetterman (PA) to mandate a public awareness campaign on students' Title VI rights under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The proposal also requires the Department of Education to provide monthly updates to Congress on efforts to address antisemitism complaints.
Child literacy and dyslexia were highlighted as key concerns by Cassidy, who stressed the link between literacy, high school graduation rates, and workforce readiness, noting the impact on the nation’s 8 million unfilled jobs. Ranking member Senator Bernie Sanders (VT) urged the committee to tackle the rising costs of child care, public colleges, and health care, reflecting strong public demand for affordability in these areas.
Cassidy and Sanders also outlined broader labor priorities during the committee’s first official meeting since Republicans regained control of the chamber. Both expressed a desire for bipartisanship, though each focused on their party’s key issues. Cassidy called for expanding portable benefits for gig workers, arguing that the Biden administration’s policies on independent workers had undermined their flexibility and financial stability. He asserted that such policies were no longer relevant under the current agenda. Sanders emphasized the importance of completing bipartisan initiatives from the previous session, including reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which was removed at the last minute from the stopgap funding bill.
Department of Labor 14(c) Program
Top Republicans on the House Education and Workforce Committee have urged the Department of Labor (DOL) to abandon its plan to phase out the 14(c) certificate program, which allows employers to pay workers with disabilities less than minimum wage. Committee Chair Tim Walberg (MI) and former Chair Virginia Foxx (NC) argue that the department lacks the statutory authority to end the program and warn that eliminating it would restrict opportunities for workers with disabilities, who benefit from these jobs for skill development and personal fulfillment. The proposed rule would stop issuing new 14(c) certificates and phase out existing ones over three years, leaving its future in the hands of the Trump administration.
Department of Education Deputy Secretary Nominee
Former Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn has been appointed deputy secretary at the Education Department, bringing extensive K-12 experience to the role previously held by Cindy Marten during the Biden administration. Schwinn’s career includes roles as Tennessee’s education chief, assistant education secretary in Delaware, and positions at the Texas Education Agency. She began her education career as a Teach for America corps member, later founded a California charter school, and served on former University of Florida President Ben Sasse’s cabinet.
A strong proponent of school choice, the GOP has praised Schwinn for her conservative principles and innovative approach to education, with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee highlighting her significant contributions to the state. However, her nomination has sparked some criticism, with skeptics pointing to her past conflicts over a state critical race theory ban and affiliations with the Never Trump movement. Some critics have questioned whether her background aligns with the current administration’s priorities, raising concerns about the vetting process for her appointment.
Initial Jobless Rate
In the week ending January 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 217,000, an increase of 14,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 201,000 to 203,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,750, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 213,000 to 213,500. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending January 4, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate.
Click here to access the report.
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