Axios says senators sent letter to labor sec. Chavez-Deremer

Axios says senators sent letter to labor sec. Chavez-Deremer

Senate Democrats have sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Assistant Secretary David Keeling, expressing concerns over what they describe as the Department of Labor’s "ambitious deregulatory agenda" under her leadership. The lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), highlighted efforts by the department to eliminate over a third of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's offices, roll back requirements for workplace safety measures such as adequate lighting in construction sites, and loosen respirator standards for workers exposed to hazardous materials like lead and asbestos according to a letter. The letter also notes a 20% decline in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) workplace inspections and a 42% drop in "willful violations" cited during inspections between April and September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, suggesting a potential shift in enforcement priorities as reported.

The letter arrives amid broader scrutiny of Chavez-DeRemer's leadership, including an ongoing inspector general investigation into alleged misconduct by her husband and senior staff, which involves allegations of sexual assault, inappropriate relationships, and misuse of agency resources according to Common Dreams. Despite her bipartisan confirmation last year, which included support from labor groups like the Teamsters due to her past advocacy for worker-friendly policies such as the PRO Act, critics argue her current actions align more closely with deregulatory priorities favored by business interests as detailed in the letter. The department has not publicly responded to the senators' letter.