Senate panel backs former Rep. D'Esposito for Labor IG; NLRB nominees

Mark Schoeff Jr., CQ-Roll Call on Oct 9, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

WASHINGTON — The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee recommended one-term former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito to become the Labor Department’s inspector general, one of four nominees advanced by the panel Thursday.

D’Esposito, R-N.Y., who was among the Republicans who pushed for the expulsion of then-Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., in 2023 and who faced questions about his own hiring, would lead internal oversight of the department’s programs and operations with investigating and auditing authority.

“If confirmed as DOL Inspector General, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito will help drive President Trump’s mission to reform the federal bureaucracy and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse,” Senate HELP Chairman Bill Cassidy, R-La., said before the 12-11 party-line vote.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, indicated she would keep an eye on D’Esposito’s performance. She said she had concerns about his past political statements and how he might carry those opinions into his new job. A conversation with D’Esposito persuaded her to support him in the committee vote, Murkowski said.

“I just wanted to say on the record that I’m going to be looking to make sure that he executes his new responsibilities with the unbiased nature that he has committed to,” Murkowski said.

D’Esposito has faced his own watchdog scrutiny, including internal inquiries during his New York Police Department career and a New York Times investigation alleging he violated House ethics rules by hiring his fiancee’s daughter and a woman with whom he was having an affair. D’Esposito later pushed back on that report, calling it a “hit piece.”

The White House has tried to exercise greater control over inspectors general than previous administrations did. Trump fired 18 IGs across several departments and agencies shortly after he was inaugurated in January.

D’Esposito was one of four nominees advanced by the Senate panel. The others, also recommended in 12-11 votes, were Rosario Palmieri to be assistant secretary of Labor for policy; Crystal Carey to be general counsel at the National Labor Relations Board; and James Murphy to be an NLRB member.

The committee postponed a vote on Scott Mayer, another nominee for an NLRB seat.

House term

A former New York City police detective, D’Esposito was elected to the House in 2022. He defeated then-Democratic candidate Laura Gillen to succeed former Democratic Rep. Kathleen Rice in a district that covers part of Nassau County on Long Island. Gillen beat D’Esposito in their rematch in the 2024 election.

D’Esposito became a prominent figure in the 2023 effort to remove his New York Republican colleague Santos following Santos’ federal criminal indictment. D’Esposito offered a privileged resolution to expel Santos.

D’Esposito said at his confirmation hearing in June that his police background, experience on the Hempstead Town Council and in Congress as well as his union membership and ability to work with labor made him a good fit for Labor inspector general.

“Together, we passed pro-worker legislation, defended worker rights and prioritized fair wages and safe conditions. Not partisan talking points, but real world results,” D’Esposito said. “If confirmed, I will bring that same grit, independence and accountability to the Department of Labor.”

Senate HELP ranking member Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., opposed all four nominees.

“President Trump’s strong anti-union, anti-worker agenda will only be made worse by these nominees if they are confirmed,” Sanders said prior to Thursday’s votes.

Sanders supported taking Mayer off the roster of nominees for a vote. Mayer is chief labor council for aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co.

Sanders criticized Boeing for its approach to labor negotiations with approximately 3,200 workers who are on strike at a St. Louis facility.

“Boeing cannot agree to a fair union contract with machinists in St Louis,” Sanders said. “I don’t believe Boeing’s chief labor council should become a member of the National Labor Relations Board.”

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., questioned Mayer at his confirmation hearing last week about his support for a fair resolution to the dispute.

“We’ve got 3,000-plus Missourians who are currently effectively out of a job,” Hawley told Mayer. “They haven’t had a significant wage increase in years. They need to be able to afford to pay rent, to put food on the table for their families, get their health care. I mean, is your company going to do right by these workers?”

The NLRB nominees will fill in a five-person board that currently has two members.

One of the vacancies was opened by Trump’s firing of Gwynne Wilcox, a Democratic member, in January. Wilcox mounted a legal challenge against Trump, arguing he didn’t have the authority to remove her. The Supreme Court in May blocked a lower-court injunction against Trump, keeping Wilcox off the NLRB until courts resolve her case.

_____