Three Democrats Join Republicans to Vote Against Biden’s Labor Department Nominee

Three Democratic senators joined Republicans on Wednesday to kill the nomination of David Weil to head the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division, Politico reported.

In a final vote of 47-53, the Senate chose not to move forward with considering Weil’s nomination after intense criticism from Republicans over his tenure in the Obama administration, Politico reported. Arizona Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, along with West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, were the only Democrats to vote against Weil.

Opponents went after Weil for policy choices surrounding independent contractor classification, joint employment designations and overtime pay, Politico reported. The vote makes Weil the first Biden nominee to fail on the Senate floor.

“As she promised Arizonans, Kyrsten evaluates all nominees based on three criteria: whether or not they are professionally qualified, believe in the missions of their agencies, and can be trusted to faithfully execute and uphold the law,” a spokesperson for Sinema said of the senator’s vote, CNN reported.

“Upon reviewing Mr. Weil’s nomination, she has concerns with his ability to faithfully execute and uphold the law,” the spokesperson said.

“West Virginia small businesses are the heart of our economy and our communities. Mr. Weil’s track record and previous statements are problematic for many West Virginia employees and business owners. Ultimately, I could not support Mr. Weil because I do not believe that the health and well-being of our small businesses and the employees who rely on their success would be his utmost priority,” Democrat West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said.

Democrat Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the chairwoman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, was saddened by the vote.

“I’m incredibly disappointed to see Dr. Weil, an exceptionally qualified nominee with a long track record fighting to ensure workers get the wages they have earned, did not get the votes tonight to be confirmed as Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. Despite this outcome, I will never stop fighting for working families and for a fully staffed DOL with leaders committed to protecting workers,” she said.

The nominee had previously served in the position for the administration of former President Obama but conservatives had raised concerns due to policies he enacted that they said damaged small businesses.

This is an excerpt from the Daily Caller.