The U.S. Department of Labor announced Wednesday it will eliminate or modify 63 workplace regulations as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reduce federal rules affecting businesses and workers.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said the deregulatory actions aim to reverse rules from previous administrations and reduce regulatory burdens on employers while creating economic opportunities for workers.
“One of President Trump’s very first actions was directing his cabinet to dismantle the mountain of outdated rules that have held back American workers and businesses for far too long,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “The Department of Labor is proud to lead the way by eliminating unnecessary regulations that stifle growth and limit opportunity.”
Expanding first-term deregulation efforts
The announcement builds on President Trump’s first-term deregulation initiative, which required federal agencies to eliminate two existing regulations for each new rule. The Labor Department took 37 deregulatory actions during Trump’s previous presidency from 2017 to 2021.
Trump has now directed agencies to eliminate 10 existing regulations for every new rule through his executive order “Unleashing Prosperity through Deregulation.”
Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the department’s current plan represents the most extensive deregulatory effort of any federal agency.
“The Department of Labor’s actions are unprecedented, slashing more than 60 obsolete and burdensome regulations impacting American workers,” Sonderling said. “While the previous administration prioritized expanding the size of government over job and wage growth, President Trump is focused on unleashing the greatest economic comeback in American history.”
Details to be released
The department said it will post additional details about the 63 deregulatory items in the Federal Register. The announcement did not specify which particular workplace rules or regulations would be affected.
The deregulatory actions target rules the administration says limit job creation and economic growth. The department characterized the effort as putting American workers and job creators first by removing regulatory barriers.
Information about the specific regulatory changes will be available on the Labor Department’s Federal Register page as details are released.
