The Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling on Wednesday to lead the Department of Labor by a 47-41 vote, formally ending his period as acting labor secretary since late April. He assumed the role after Lori Chavez-DeRemer left for the private sector. Sonderling held several positions at the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during President Trump's first administration and previously practiced employment and labor law at a Florida law firm. President Trump nominated him in June and praised his commitment to producing results for American workers. Chavez-DeRemer's departure followed scrutiny of her conduct, including a 44-page inspector general report that described a toxic, intimidating and humiliating workplace and accused her of violating department policies. The Senate vote was its final business before leaving Washington for the rest of the month ahead of the midterm election campaign.