IFA Urges Swift Confirmation of Keith Sonderling to Lead Labor Department

As Acting Secretary, Sonderling has championed policies to support franchising, especially a commonsense federal joint employer rule that protects franchise businesses and preserves entrepreneurial opportunities, proving his understanding of franchising’s vital role powering Main Street economies

July 15, 2026 // FranchisePR.com // WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of this week’s scheduled hearing before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, the International Franchise Association (IFA) today urged the U.S. Senate to confirm Acting Secretary Keith Sonderling as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor:

“During his time as Acting Secretary, Keith Sonderling has been a firm ally to the country’s 832,000 franchise small businesses, and we urge the U.S. Senate to move on his confirmation without delay,” said Michael Layman, IFA Chief Advocacy Officer. “By advancing a commonsense federal joint employer rule that protects franchise businesses and preserves entrepreneurial opportunities, Sonderling has shown he understands franchising’s vital role powering Main Street economies across this country. Sonderling’s balanced approach will ensure fair labor policies that support job creators and workers alike, strengthening the franchise model as a cornerstone of the American economy.”

IFA sent a letter of support urging the Senate to support Sonderling’s nomination.

To safeguard the joint employer standard for the long-term, IFA is spearheading the bipartisan American Franchise Act (AFA) codifying the direct control of narrowly defined essential terms and conditions of employment for joint employer status. The American Franchise Act has 134 bipartisan cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives and companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.

About the International Franchise Association
Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 832,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.8 million direct jobs, $907.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.

SOURCE International Franchise Association

Media Contact:
Katherine Knight Patterson
(202) 662-0783