Senate rejects Biden Labor nominee amid Democratic opposition 

The Senate rejected a Labor Department nominee from President BidenJoe BidenSenators shrinking size of COVID deal amid disagreements Trevor Reed’s parents meet with Biden at White House Senators trade offers in scramble for coronavirus deal MORE on Wednesday night, after three Democrats joined with Republicans to oppose the pick.  

A vote to advance David Weil’s nomination to lead the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division failed in a 47-53 vote, where a simple majority was needed to move forward. Democratic Sens. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinHealth Care — Biden presses Congress on COVID funding A bipartisan path forward for child care On The Money — Labor market flashes strength ahead of jobs report MORE (W.Va.), Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten SinemaUranium industry is the latest to hop on the bandwagon taking advantage of tragedy in Ukraine  2 in 3 in new poll support Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination Biden moves to campaign mode with billionaire tax plan MORE (Ariz.) and Mark KellyMark KellyUranium industry is the latest to hop on the bandwagon taking advantage of tragedy in Ukraine  Bipartisan group of senators requests specifics on defense aid provided to Ukraine Democrats divided over how to deal with rising inflation MORE (Ariz.) voted against the nomination.  

Spokespeople for the three Democratic senators didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on their votes, though sources previously told Bloomberg that Manchin was privately raising concerns about Weil.  

The Hill spotted the three senators chatting just outside the Senate chamber shortly before they dealt a fatal blow to the nomination.  

Sen. Patty MurrayPatricia (Patty) Lynn MurraySenators shrinking size of COVID deal amid disagreements Senators trade offers in scramble for coronavirus deal Democrats press Biden to extend freeze on student loan payments MORE (D-Wash.), the chairwoman of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said in a statement after the setback that she was “incredibly disappointed.”  

“I’m incredibly disappointed to see Dr. Weil, an exceptionally qualified nominee with a long track record fighting to ensure workers get the wages they have earned, did not get the votes tonight to be confirmed as Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor,” Murray said.  

“Despite this outcome, I will never stop fighting for working families and for a fully staffed DOL with leaders committed to protecting workers,” she added.  

Weil previously led the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division during the Obama administration.  

But he’s faced fierce opposition from Republicans and some outside groups that urged centrist Senate Democrats to oppose his nomination.  

Americans for Tax Reform, for example, previously urged Sinema and Kelly to oppose his nomination, arguing that he would be a “disaster for Arizona workers, families, and small businesses.”