2-28-23
## Read Gov. Relations Consultant AJ Donelson's update below.
With a divided Congress (a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Republican majority in the House), it is unlikely that significant labor and employment legislation will make its way through both the House and Senate in the next two years. Republicans in the House will introduce and consider a host of labor and employment bills, most of which have very little chance of being approved by the Senate. The Democrat controlled Senate will focus less on legislation and more on approving President Biden’s labor and judicial nominees.
The Administration will pursue its labor and employment agenda through enforcement and by advancing rule making through the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.
Earlier this year, President Biden announced his intention to nominate Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor, replacing Marty Walsh, who left to become the head of the National Hockey League’s Players Association. Su currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of Labor. Prior to her confirmation in July 2021, Su was Labor Secretary for the State of California.
Su’s nomination has the support of organized labor as well as the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus. Her confirmation, however, will be contentious. Republicans are likely to oppose Su. Like many issues in the Senate, the votes of a handful of Democrats, including Joe Manchin (WV), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) and Jon Tester (MT), will determine whether Su is confirmed as the next Secretary of Labor.
ARAWC continues to monitor and analyze federal proposals which affect Texas injury benefit plans. This includes provisions to restrict the use of mandatory arbitration as well as enforcement actions coming out of the Department of Labor.