Biden DOL Picks Questioned on Jobless Aid, Retirement Benefits

Nominees to head two critical U.S. Department of Labor subagencies previewed how they’d handle the nation’s jobless insurance and retirement benefits programs during a Senate confirmation hearing that focused more on the Biden administration’s agenda than their professional qualifications.

José Javier Rodríguez, the pick to head DOL’s Employment and Training Administration, and Lisa Gomez, tapped to run the Employee Benefits Security Administration, sought to demonstrate Thursday how they’d bring an equitable, worker-focused philosophy to spearheading safety net programs.

The nominees, both union-side attorneys, and Senate Democrats spent considerable time defending the White House from Republican attacks aimed at President Joe ...