ASAP
Policy Week in Review - February 7, 2025
The Policy Week in Review, prepared by Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), sets forth WPI’s updates on federal, state, and local matters, as well as Littler’s published in-depth analyses of the prior week.
Congressional and Administrative News
Senator Josh Hawley’s (R-MO) Labor Reform Framework Attracts Bipartisan Support
Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Bernie Moreno (R-OH) are reportedly signing on as cosponsors to Senator Hawley’s draft legislative framework to reform labor law. Senator Hawley’s framework, which resembles aspects of the PRO Act, contains union top priorities including: banning captive audience meetings, prohibiting “unsafe” warehouse speed quotas; requiring quickie elections within 20 business days; forcing contract negotiations within 10 days following an election; and creating civil penalties, increased damages, and employees’ right to seek remedies in court if the NLRB fails to bring suit. At this time, actual legislation has not been introduced. Senator Hawley, however, continues to socialize the framework with key constituencies as evidenced by his meeting earlier this week with the United Automobile Workers’ president, Shawn Fain, to discuss the legislative draft.
Labor Secretary Nominee Chevez-DeRemer Committee Hearing Scheduled for February 12
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, February 12 at 10:00 a.m., on the nomination of former Representative Lori M. Chavez-DeRemer to serve as secretary of labor. You can watch the hearing here.
President Trump Appoints Acting General Counsels at NLRB and EEOC
Following the string of recent dismissals, President Trump named Andrew Rogers as the acting general counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and William Cowen as the acting general counsel at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Rogers served as chief counsel to EEOC Commissioner Andrea Lucas, who was recently appointed as acting EEOC chair. Cowen served as the Board’s regional director in the Los Angeles office and was a previous Board member. Both general counsel positions require Senate confirmation, which means President Trump must officially name nominees for these positions.
Senate Confirms Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General
On Tuesday, President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, former Florida attorney general, was confirmed by the Senate. The vote was 54-46, with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman as the sole Democrat voting to confirm her.
