Chao's Confirmation Hearing Scheduled For Wednesday

Jan. 23, 2001
President Bush's nominee for labor secretary, Elaine Chao will attend her confirmation hearing\r\ntomorrow.

President Bush''s nominee for labor secretary, Elaine Chao, former president and chief executive officer of the United Way and the wife of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will attend her confirmation hearing tomorrow.

Unlike Chavez, Chao drew immediate praise from AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who serves with her on the board of the United Way.

Chao telephoned Sweeney before the nomination was announced, a sign that the Bush administration may be trying to mend fences with organized labor, who bitterly opposed Chavez. In a statement, Sweeney said Chao "has worked with the labor movement and has experience in government, in the private sector and in public service."

Chao, an Asian-American who emigrated from Taiwan at the age of 8, ought to know her way around Washington, D.C.

Under Reagan and Bush''s father, she served as deputy administrator of the Federal Maritime Administration, deputy transportation secretary and Peace Corps director.

Although Chao appears to be a far-less polarizing figure than Chavez, the new labor secretary nominee also has impeccable conservative credentials. She is a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank, and is on the board of directors at a number of corporations.

There has been no indication who Chao would name to replace OSHA Administrator Charles Jeffress.

Deputy Assistant Secretary R. Davis Layne was named as acting OSHA administrator by outgoing Labor Secretary Alexis Herman before Bush''s inauguration Saturday.

by James Nash

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

What is the key difference between OSHAS 18001 vs. ISO 45001

March 13, 2025
Learn about the main differences between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001, and how ISO 45001 takes a proactive approach to prevent work-related incidents. Find out why businesses should...

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!