Senate Republican Bill Cassidy has placed holds on four of President Donald Trump’s nominees for federal labor-related positions following a report by the inspector general that found multiple violations by former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
In a statement, Cassidy said: “Now that the investigation is complete, we need answers. Members and staff were not briefed on the findings. That is unacceptable and disregards Congress’s constitutional oversight role.”
Cassidy added that the HELP Committee would not consider additional labor nominees until bipartisan members and staff are fully briefed.
The inspector general’s report, released this week, found that Chavez-DeRemer repeatedly violated federal workplace, travel, alcohol, and ethics policies while maintaining an “inappropriately close and unprofessional relationship” with a member of her security detail.
The 44-page report states that a preponderance of evidence substantiates multiple violations by Chavez-DeRemer and four other former Labor Department officials. Investigators interviewed 53 current and former department employees, as well as one employee from another federal agency, and reviewed more than 500 documents, images, and videos.
Thirty-eight witnesses described the secretary’s office as “toxic, intimidating and humiliating,” according to Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito. Employees reported experiencing demeaning treatment, threats of termination, and fear of retaliation for raising concerns or speaking with investigators.
The report concluded that Chavez-DeRemer failed to comply with the department’s anti-harassment policy, improperly combined personal and official travel, consumed alcohol on federal property without authorization, directed government employees to perform personal tasks, and failed to properly report gifts.
Keith Sonderling, who was nominated by Trump to replace Chavez-DeRemer, is awaiting a vote from the full Senate.
The nominees affected by Cassidy’s hold include Mike Doyle for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, Walter Darr for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and Doug Ralph and Loren Sweatt for the National Mediation Board.
