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Senate Confirmation Hearing for Department of Education and Labor Nominees

Original title: NOMINATIONS

Record date · January 1, 2019

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What This Bill Does

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing on November 15, 2017, to consider the nominations of four individuals for key roles within the Department of Education and the Department of Labor. The committee heard testimony from nominees for Deputy Secretary, Assistant Secretary positions, and the of Labor.

Why it matters

This hearing is a formal step in the federal confirmation process for four high-level executive branch officials who will oversee policy, legal affairs, and employee benefits at the Departments of Education and Labor.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Nominees

The individuals are undergoing the Senate confirmation process required to assume their respective federal offices.

Directly affected

Department of Education

The agency is awaiting the confirmation of its Deputy Secretary and an Assistant Secretary.

Directly affected

Department of Labor

The agency is awaiting the confirmation of its Solicitor and an Assistant Secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

Key Facts

  • The committee held a confirmation hearing for four nominees on November 15, 2017.
  • Mitchell Zais was nominated for Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education.
  • James Blew was nominated for Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development at the Department of Education.
  • Kate S. O'Scannlain was nominated for Solicitor of the Department of Labor.
Show all 7 facts
  • Preston Rutledge was nominated for Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
  • The hearing took place in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
  • The committee followed a format of opening statements followed by 5-minute rounds of questioning for the nominees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing is part of the Senate's constitutional duty to provide on presidential nominations for executive branch positions.
Which departments are affected by these nominations?
The nominations concern leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Lobbying Activity

60 Plus Association

2026

TAXATION/INTERNAL REVENUE CODEENVIRONMENT/SUPERFUNDCOPYRIGHT/PATENT/TRADEMARKHEALTH ISSUES

“Signed a coalition letter opposing any efforts to raise the corporate tax rate above the 21% level set in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Signed a coalition in support of the Family Business Legacy Act, H.R. 6329. This legislation creates parity in the tax code between the estate and gift taxes by allowing an estate tax deduction for contributions to 501(c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) organizations. Signed a coalition letter urging opposition to proposals that would raise taxes on carried interest investment income.The letter is urging Congress to reject the misnamed Carried Interest Fairness Act, legislation recently reintroduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and other progressive members of Congress. This legislation that would increase the tax rate on carried interest investment by 70%, from 23.8% to 40.8%. Signed a coalition letter in support of H.R.574 - ALIGN Act and highlight the 100% bonus depreciation provision's importance as the tax cut reauthorization efforts continue. Signed a coalition to support of repealing IRA's green new deal subsidies in reconciliation to pay for tax cuts. Signed a coalition letter regarding digital services taxes (DST) in an effort to stop Canadas imposition of a discriminatory digital services tax (DST) on U.S. firms and your efforts to include restrictions on the imposition of DSTs and other unfair digital policies in recently announced trade agreements-providing a model for future trade negotiations. Signed a coalition letter urging the President to index capital gains for inflation.”

Senate LDAMatched on title words onlyView filing on LDA.gov →

NOMINAL, INC. AND ITS U.S. SUBSIDIARY

Senate LDAMatched on title words onlyView filing on LDA.gov →

Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)

$60,000

2025

GOVERNMENT ISSUES

“In support of an amendment to the constitution regarding the presidential pardon power. Advocating for sets of questions to be asked during DOJ and OPM nominations to produce concessions and straight answers from nominees that might threaten the rule of law. In opposition to executive impoundments of Congressionally appropriated funds. In support of Congress's power of the purse powers during reconciliation process. In support of reforms to the National Emergencies Act through H.R.3988, the Article One Act. In opposition of the SAVE Act. In opposition to decreasing federal election funding, including funding for protection of elections officias and CISA. In support of proper enforcement of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and proper use of recess appointments powers. In opposition to the Reorganization Act. In support of protecting the right to vote and preparation for/prevention of election subversion and certification issues. In support of educating Congressional members on preventing abuse of executive power, including restoring Congress as a meaningful check on executive authority. ”

Senate LDAMatched on title words onlyView filing on LDA.gov →

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

temporal pattern100% confidence

Historical Hearing Record

This document is a transcript from a 2017 hearing, published in 2019, reflecting the standard lag time in government printing office records.

Connected Entities

Lamar Alexander, Kate S. O'Scannlain, Department of Labor and 5 more
PersonLamar Alexander“Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions”Map →
PersonKate S. O'Scannlain“Nominee for Solicitor of the Department of Labor”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of Labor“Federal agency overseeing labor and employee benefits”Map →
PersonJames Blew“Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development”Map →
PersonMitchell Zais“Nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education”Map →
PersonPatty Murray“U.S. Senator from Washington”Map →
PersonPreston Rutledge“Nominee for Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Admi”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of Education“Federal agency overseeing education policy”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance40
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz5
    Current news / social attention level

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