BREAKING: 53-47, Bi-Partisan Group of Senators Block Advancement of Divisive David Weil to DOL's Wage and Hour

In a late Wednesday evening vote, the United States Senate blocked the advancement of David Weil to become the Administrator of the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.

The vote was 53-47 against Weil and consisted of all 50 Republican Senators and three Democrats—Sens. Mark Kelly and Kirsten Sinema (both from Arizona) and Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia.

Due to his “ideological agenda,” Weil’s nomination was opposed by many individuals and organizations who viewed his agenda to be harmful to independent contractors and the gig economy, as well as the franchise industry.

Craig Caplan @CraigCaplan

47-53: Senate blocked advancing the nomination of David Weil to be Administrator of the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division, the nation’s top wage-hour regulator. 3 Democrats Kelly, Manchin and Sinema joined all Republicans in voting No.

It would have Weil’s second time leading the Wage and Hour Division. He’s a dean at Brandeis University. He previously served in the Obama administration from 2014 to 2017, reports Bloomberg Law.

“Dr. Weil’s track record previously serving in this role and his ideological agenda leaves no doubt that his policies would harm the hundreds of thousands of local franchise businesses around the country and the 8.2 million workers they employ,” stated Michael Layman, Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs of the International Franchise Association (IFA) earlier this week. “At a time when we are counting on small businesses to rebuild our economy, we ask all senators to reject this flawed nomination and protect local businesses and their workers.”

“As we told senators publicly and behind the scenes: A person who does not understand who independent contractors are, and who does not seem able to conceive of anyone intentionally choosing self-employment, cannot be placed in a position to wield a policy hammer that could destroy our livelihoods,” stated Kim Kavin, a freelance writer and one of the grassroots leaders of Fight for Freelancers USA. “We are grateful that a majority of senators listened.”

“Weil’s defeat on the Senate floor is a major defeat for the Biden administration, which has prided itself on its labor agenda,” noted Politico, “and for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as leaders typically do not move items if they do not have the votes to pass.”

Following the vote, the IFA tweeted their thanks to the Senators who voted against Weil’s advancement.

IFA @Franchising411

IFA thanks @SenatorSinema @Sen_JoeManchin @SenMarkKelly and all 50 Republicans who stood up for local franchise businesses and workers across the country by voting against the nomination of David Weil to @WHD_DOL.

franchise.orgIFA Applauds Senators for Defeating David Weil Nomination, Supporting Local Franchise BusinessesThe International Franchise Association (IFA) today applauded the U.S. Senate for defeating the nomination of David Weil to serve as Administrator of the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. U.S. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and all 50 Senate Republica…

IFA @Franchising411

This vote shows that small businesses are tired of overregulation and policies that make it harder to provide for their employees and grow their business. IFA is proud of our members who made their voice heard to protect the franchise business model.

For more updates, go to LaborUnionNews.com

---