Stymied Su Nomination Mirrors Slack Labor Department Rulemaking

The US Labor Department’s regulatory agenda has slowed to a standstill while the White House works to whip up enough support for Labor secretary nominee Julie Su.

Since Su started serving as acting secretary March 11 when Marty Walsh departed as DOL chief, the agency hasn’t finalized or proposed any new regulations—despite plans to wrap up a rule on independent contractor status, issue a proposal to update overtime pay protections, and several rules close to being released at the White House budget office.

“By freezing your regulatory agenda, you are in essence avoiding the embarrassment or the explanation of something ...