Hoyle and Larson Lead Colleagues in Opposing Politicization of Bureau of Labor Statistics
For Immediate Release: August 26, 2025
EUGENE, OR– Yesterday, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Representative John Larson (CT-01) led Representatives James McGovern (MA-02), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Greg Landsman (OH-01) in sending a letter to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to raise concerns about President Trump’s firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner Dr. Erika McEntarfer and his nomination of E.J. Antoni as her replacement.
“Politicizing the role of the BLS is dangerous and risks destabilizing the United States and global economies,” said the lawmakers. “Employers, workers, and economists use BLS data to make decisions about hiring, pay, training, and the cost of living. Americans rely on this information because it reflects real conditions in the economy.”
The letter notes that Social Security beneficiaries, labor unions, and lawmakers all rely on accurate BLS data to set cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), negotiate wages, and craft legislation that protects the Social Security Trust Fund.
“Given Mr. Antoni has previously called Social Security a ‘Ponzi scheme’ and for it to be sunset, his nomination raises serious questions about his ability to effectively and objectively lead the agency responsible for compiling the data supporting the annual COLA increase in Social Security payments to beneficiaries,” they continued.
The lawmakers requested answers from Secretary Chavez-DeRemer on what mechanisms are in place to ensure BLS’ independence from political interference and whether independent nonpartisan observers will be able to validate BLS data.
“BLS must remain a reliable, independent, data-driven agency,” the lawmakers said. “Distorting this data would threaten fair pay for millions of working Americans and smaller Social Security checks for seniors already struggling with high prices for basic necessities.”
The full letter text can be viewed here.
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