Senate Confirmed Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor

The new labor secretary aims to work with the hospitality industry on visa programs and employer standards.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Employment

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a neoclassical building portico, symbolizing federal labor department authority and oversight. — The U.S. Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor, marking a shift in focus toward hospitality visa programs and employer standards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The U.S. Senate has confirmed Keith Sonderling as the new Secretary of Labor. This transition follows recent tours by the secretary at various hotel properties across Arizona and Nevada.

Why it matters

The appointment is significant for small business owners, who account for 60% of all hotels in the U.S. and will be looking to the department for regulatory clarity.

Small businesses own 60% of hotels nationwide. The specific financial impact of upcoming policy changes on these operations remains to be determined as the Department of Labor begins its new term.

The players

Keith Sonderling

The newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Labor responsible for federal workplace regulations and labor policy enforcement.

American Hotel & Lodging Association

An industry trade group representing hotel owners and operators that advocates for policies affecting hospitality staffing and operational costs.

The details

The American Hotel & Lodging Association intends to coordinate with the Department of Labor to streamline the H-2B visa process for seasonal staffing. Additionally, the department is expected to focus on defining consistent joint-employer standards that impact how labor laws apply to franchise-heavy industries.

September 2026: Keith Sonderling toured hotel properties in Arizona and Nevada.
October 1, 2026: The American Hotel & Lodging Association issued a statement regarding the confirmation.

Money Landscape

This appointment signals a shift in the labor regulatory environment as the administration addresses long-standing industry requests. The move follows an established pattern of collaboration between the Department of Labor and trade associations to adjust the H-2B visa program.

Small business owners in the hospitality sector should monitor future Department of Labor guidance regarding joint-employer standards. Consult with a qualified legal or tax professional to understand how potential revisions to visa and employment rules may affect your business overhead.

The takeaway

The confirmation of the new labor secretary initiates a period of anticipated policy collaboration for the hotel industry. Business owners should track future Federal Register announcements for updates on H-2B visa requirements and potential changes to joint-employer liability standards.