Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Elaine Chao

Elaine Lan Chao (born March 26, 1953) is a Taiwanese-born American business executive and government official who served as the 24th United States Secretary of Labor from January 29, 2001, to January 20, 2009—the longest-serving in that role since World War II—and as the 18th United States Secretary of Transportation from January 31, 2017, to January 11, 2021. The first Asian American woman to hold a cabinet position in U.S. history, Chao immigrated from Taiwan to the United States at age eight aboard a cargo ship, graduated from Mount Holyoke College and Harvard Business School, and advanced through senior roles in finance, nonprofits, and federal agencies, including as Director of the Peace Corps (1991–1992), Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission (1988–1989), and Deputy Secretary of Transportation (1989–1991). Married since 1993 to Mitch McConnell, the longtime U.S. Senator from Kentucky and former Senate Majority Leader, Chao's career exemplifies upward mobility through public service across Republican administrations, though her tenure as Transportation Secretary drew scrutiny over infrastructure funding allocations perceived as favoring Kentucky projects and family business interests in China-linked shipping.

Early life and education

Immigration from Taiwan and family background

Elaine Chao was born on March 26, 1953, in , , the eldest of six daughters to , a , and , a . Her family had relocated to from in 1949 amid the , escaping the advance of Mao Zedong's forces. In 1961, at age eight, Chao immigrated to the with her mother and two younger sisters, traveling on a 37-day journey aboard a freight ship from to . The family initially settled in , , where Chao, arriving with no knowledge of English, began assimilating into American society through public schools. Her father, who had previously studied in the U.S. and returned to , rejoined them shortly after and established the , a dry bulk shipping company, in —building it from modest beginnings without reliance on government assistance. The Chao family's approach prioritized self-reliance, rigorous education, and entrepreneurial initiative as pathways to advancement, reflecting the causal dynamics of immigrant adaptation in a merit-based system. Chao naturalized as a U.S. citizen at age 19, embodying the progression from limited resources to personal achievement through persistent effort rather than external entitlements.

Academic pursuits and early influences


Elaine Chao attended public schools in and later on , , after immigrating from at age eight. She enrolled in upon her family's move to the area and graduated with the class of 1971. Chao pursued higher education at , earning a in in 1975. She demonstrated strong academic involvement during her undergraduate years, reflecting the discipline instilled by her immigrant family background. Subsequently, she obtained a from in 1979, focusing on practical business principles rather than pursuing further academic credentials. Her academic path was shaped by the ethos of hard work and common among Asian immigrants, who prioritized as a pathway to opportunity . Exposure to American community networks, including schools and local institutions, highlighted contrasts between rigid state planning observed in her native and the dynamic incentives of free markets, fostering an early appreciation for empirical economic reasoning over ideological abstraction. Chao's choice of studies underscored a commitment to understanding real-world and individual agency, influences that informed her later analytical approach without reliance on extended scholastic pursuits.

Pre-cabinet career

Entry into public service and non-profits

Chao's entry into public service occurred through the White House Fellows program during the Reagan administration, serving from 1983 to 1984 in the Domestic Policy Council with a focus on transportation and trade issues. This role provided direct involvement in policy formulation and implementation, exposing her to federal bureaucratic processes and the challenges of regulatory efficiency in infrastructure sectors. Following the fellowship, she briefly returned to the private sector as vice president of syndications at Bank of America Capital Markets Group from late 1984 to 1986, handling financing arrangements that honed her understanding of market-driven resource allocation over government directives. She resumed public service roles in the , appointed deputy maritime administrator from 1986 to 1988, overseeing operational and regulatory aspects of U.S. shipping industry administration. In this capacity, Chao addressed inefficiencies in maritime policy enforcement, advocating for streamlined operations amid fiscal constraints that highlighted the causal links between regulatory overreach and in transportation . Her subsequent positions, including chair of the (1988–1989) and deputy secretary of transportation (1989–1991), further immersed her in hands-on governance, emphasizing empirical reforms to reduce administrative redundancies and promote competitive practices. Transitioning to non-profits, Chao served as president and CEO of of America from March 1993 to 1996, recruited to restore organizational after the 1992 embezzlement scandal involving predecessor William Aramony, who misappropriated approximately $1.2 million in funds. Under her leadership, the organization implemented strict financial controls, decentralized decision-making to local affiliates, and shifted emphasis toward measurable outcomes in private , contrasting inefficient welfare models by prioritizing volunteer mobilization and donor accountability to achieve poverty alleviation through community-level initiatives rather than centralized redistribution. This experience reinforced her views on the superior efficacy of non-governmental entities in addressing social needs, derived from observing firsthand how scandals erode trust and how rigorous oversight fosters sustainable impact.

Policy advocacy and private sector roles

From 1989 to 1991, Chao served as Deputy Secretary of the under President , where she managed operations across , , and other modes amid efforts to streamline federal regulations and promote efficiency in the sector. In this role, she contributed to policy implementation that favored market-oriented approaches over expansive government intervention, aligning with broader priorities for reducing bureaucratic hurdles in infrastructure and commerce. Following her government service, Chao transitioned to think tank advocacy, serving as President and CEO of of America from 1992 to 1996, where she focused on restoring organizational trust through fiscal reforms and private-sector partnerships rather than increased public funding. From 1996 to 2001, as a Distinguished Fellow at , she critiqued federal overreach in areas like programs, arguing that empirical evidence from state-level experiments demonstrated how prolonged government dependency eroded work incentives and family structures, advocating instead for time-limited aid and work requirements to foster self-reliance. Her analyses emphasized data showing caseload reductions and employment gains post-reform, positioning market-driven incentives as superior to entrenched entitlements. In parallel private-sector roles, Chao applied economic principles to global trade and finance, working as an international banker at Citicorp from 1979 to 1983 and later as of Syndications at BankAmerica Capital Markets Group, where she structured deals that facilitated cross-border investments and highlighted the benefits of deregulated capital flows for . These experiences informed her advocacy for private-sector innovation, as she served on boards promoting competition and reduced regulatory barriers to enhance U.S. competitiveness in international markets.

U.S. Secretary of Labor (2001-2009)

Appointment and regulatory reforms

Elaine Chao was nominated by President on December 5, 2000, confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on January 29, 2001, and sworn in as the 24th Secretary of Labor the following day, marking her as the first Asian American woman appointed to a presidential position. Her initial focus centered on data-driven deregulatory measures to alleviate compliance burdens on employers, particularly small businesses, which empirical analyses indicated were disproportionately impacted by existing labor regulations amid the 2001 recession following the dot-com bust. A primary reform involved bolstering financial transparency for labor unions via updates to the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959. In October 2003, the Department of Labor finalized enhanced LM-2 reporting rules, mandating that unions with annual receipts exceeding $250,000 itemize categories such as salaries, political spending, , and benefits, effective for fiscal years beginning after January 1, 2004. These changes, rooted in first-principles to union members, addressed longstanding gaps in disclosure that had persisted since the LMRDA's original implementation, where many unions filed simplified summaries rather than detailed breakdowns. Union leadership, representing interests aligned with maintaining operational opacity, criticized the rules as overly burdensome and politically targeted, filing lawsuits claiming they exceeded statutory authority—though courts largely upheld them. Chao also directed reviews of (OSHA) and (MSHA) regulations to streamline processes, prioritizing voluntary compliance assistance and empirical reevaluation of rules deemed outdated or economically inefficient. For instance, OSHA's regulatory agenda under her tenure emphasized updating standards to reflect technological advances and reducing redundant paperwork, with compliance costs for small firms cited as averaging thousands annually per regulation, potentially suppressing hiring. This approach contrasted with prior administrations' heavier reliance on new mandates, aiming causally to foster job growth by lowering barriers in a recovering ; nonfarm payroll expanded from 131.8 million in January 2001 to 138.4 million by December 2007, reflecting sustained net gains despite external shocks. Labor advocates, often institutionally biased toward expansive regulation, contended these efforts diluted enforcement and endangered workers by deprioritizing mandatory standards, such as in combustible dust hazards where proactive rulemaking lagged. Empirical outcomes showed workplace fatality rates declining from 4.0 per 100,000 workers in 2001 to 3.4 by 2008, attributable in part to targeted assistance programs amid regulatory recalibration.

Workplace safety initiatives and crisis responses

Following the , 2001, terrorist attacks, the Department of Labor under Chao disbursed billions in and grants to support affected workers, including funding for cleanup efforts at Ground Zero and temporary jobs for displaced individuals. This response prioritized rapid aid distribution, with over $2 billion in total benefits provided to workers who lost jobs due to the attacks and subsequent economic disruptions. OSHA, a DOL agency, formed partnerships with officials to enhance safety protocols during recovery operations, signing formal agreements in November 2001 to protect and cleanup crews from hazards like debris and air contaminants. In response to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Chao's department deployed resources for workforce recovery, including a $100 million to create approximately 25,000 temporary in affected areas for debris removal and reconstruction. Overall, DOL allocated nearly $380 million in grants across Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, emphasizing collaborations with private-sector employers to expedite reemployment while enforcing wage protections, recovering over $1 million in back wages for 382 underpaid recovery workers by 2007. These efforts focused on operational speed and partnerships rather than new regulations, drawing praise from some business groups for efficiency but criticism from labor advocates for insufficient oversight of contractor safety in chaotic conditions. The 2006 Sago Mine disaster, which killed 12 miners in due to an explosion, prompted Chao to advocate for technological upgrades like improved communication devices and tracking systems in mines, alongside increased enforcement actions by the (MSHA). MSHA issued more citations post-Sago, with fines rising significantly after the incident and subsequent Crandall Canyon collapse, though a report highlighted delays in inspections and enforcement prior to disasters, attributing them to resource constraints and a focus on voluntary compliance over penalties. Mining fatalities fluctuated, with 47 deaths in 2006 amid heightened scrutiny, but MSHA inspections increased by about 10% annually during Chao's tenure. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate an overall decline in workplace fatalities from 5,921 in 2001 to 5,214 in 2008, reflecting broader trends toward service-sector jobs and existing safety programs rather than solely new DOL initiatives. Supporters, including administration officials, credited targeted enforcement and education campaigns for record-low injury rates, while critics from labor unions and outlets like argued under Chao—such as forgoing major new OSHA rules—contributed to persistent hazards in high-risk sectors like , with enforcement often reactive rather than preventive. These divergent views underscore debates over whether empirical declines validated a compliance-focused approach or masked vulnerabilities exposed by isolated crises.

Criticisms and empirical outcomes

Critics from labor unions and Democratic lawmakers contended that the Department of Labor under Chao prioritized business interests over worker protections, pointing to a assessment highlighting delays in the Wage and Hour Division's processing of complaints, where auditors found mishandling in a significant portion of reviewed cases. Chao defended this as a shift toward "compliance assistance," emphasizing and voluntary with employers to achieve sustainable adherence rather than adversarial enforcement, which she argued reduced long-term violations more effectively than fines alone. In mine safety regulation, the (MSHA) under Chao relaxed certain oversight mechanisms, such as pattern-of-violations criteria, prompting lawsuits from unions and environmental groups who linked this to heightened risks following incidents like the 2006 Sago disaster. These changes facilitated industry investment by streamlining compliance for operators demonstrating improvements, correlating with rising production from approximately 1.1 billion short tons in 2001 to over 1.2 billion by 2008. Empirical data from MSHA refute claims of systemic neglect: the mine fatal injury rate fell from 0.020 per 200,000 hours worked in fiscal year 2007 to 0.016 in 2008, amid intensified inspections post-2006 Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act. Union opposition intensified over Chao's enforcement of revised Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act forms (LM-2), implemented in 2003, which mandated detailed financial disclosures from larger unions to expose potential corruption; unions decried this as an anti-labor burden, filing suits to delay rollout, yet the revealed schemes, including multimillion-dollar in the Washington Teachers' Union scandal involving over $5 million in diverted funds. No prosecutions implicated Chao personally, with reforms targeting systemic graft—over 640 union officials convicted of or during the period—rather than individual vendettas. Assertions of inherent "pro-business bias," amplified in left-leaning outlets like , overlooked causal contributions to labor market resilience: national unemployment declined to an average of 4.6% by 2007, the lowest since 2000, facilitated by of rules and promotion of flexibility that encouraged hiring amid . These outcomes, amid a backdrop of recovery and pre-recession growth, underscore how Chao's emphasis on incentives over mandates yielded measurable gains without corresponding rises in metrics.

Inter-administration period (2009-2017)

Leadership at the Heritage Foundation

Following her service as U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao returned to in 2009 as a , a senior leadership position focused on labor economics, regulatory policy, and conservative reform agendas. In this role, which she held until her 2017 nomination as Secretary of Transportation, Chao contributed to analyses critiquing Obama administration initiatives through empirical assessments of economic impacts, including regulatory burdens and labor market distortions. research under her fellowship emphasized free-market principles, highlighting how policies like the Dodd-Frank Act imposed compliance costs exceeding $25 billion annually on by 2015, based on data from federal rulemaking trackers, thereby constraining credit availability and economic growth without proportionally reducing systemic risks. Chao's work extended to opposition against the (Obamacare), where she aligned with Heritage's broader critiques documenting implementation failures, such as premium increases averaging 105% in 37 states by 2017 due to mandated coverage expansions and insurer exits, as evidenced by state insurance department filings. These analyses prioritized causal links between policy mandates and observable outcomes like reduced workforce participation among low-income groups, drawing on labor statistics from the showing a 2.5 drop in employment-to-population ratios post-2010. While left-leaning sources dismissed such critiques as ideologically driven, the foundation's reports grounded arguments in verifiable data, influencing Republican congressional strategies to delay or repeal provisions via the 2017 . On entitlement programs, Chao supported Heritage efforts advocating reforms informed by demographic projections from the Social Security Administration, which indicated the program's trust fund depletion by 2034 absent adjustments, given aging populations and a worker-to-beneficiary declining from 3.3 in 2000 to an estimated 2.1 by 2030. This involved promoting means-testing and privatization elements to address fiscal unsustainability, with cost-benefit evaluations showing potential long-term savings of trillions in present-value terms per Congressional Budget Office baselines. She also participated in discussions advancing mechanisms, such as voucher expansions, citing empirical studies from programs in and demonstrating 10-15% gains in student performance metrics for participants from low-income backgrounds. Energy independence advocacy under 's umbrella, bolstered by Chao's input, referenced U.S. data on domestic production surges post-drilling deregulation, arguing for reduced reliance on foreign imports to mitigate supply shocks. Chao hosted and spoke at foundation events reinforcing these positions, contributing to the intellectual framework that shaped the 2016 Republican platform's emphases on tax reduction and regulatory rollback, elements later enacted in legislation reducing corporate rates from 35% to 21% and eliminating the Obamacare . Critics from outlets labeled Heritage's output, including Chao's contributions, as , yet the think tank's influence is evident in policy adoptions correlating with GDP growth accelerations to 2.9% in 2018 per figures. Her fellowship underscored a commitment to data-driven amid Obama-era expansions, prioritizing causal over normative appeals.

Advisory and philanthropic activities

Following her tenure as Secretary of Labor, Chao served on the board of directors for from 2009 until her resignation in early 2017 upon nomination for Secretary of Transportation. In this capacity, she contributed to amid post-2008 reforms aimed at enhancing oversight and in media and banking sectors. Similarly, she joined the & Company board on June 28, 2011, and served until 2017, receiving over $2.2 million in compensation during her tenure, which included advisory input on and ethical standards in the wake of the banking crisis. These roles underscored her for private-sector accountability without reliance on expanded . Chao participated in family philanthropy through foundations established by her parents, James and Ruth Chao, which prioritized education by funding scholarships, endowed chairs, and campus facilities. In 2012, the Chao family donated $40 million to to support executive education and fellowships. Such private initiatives, exemplified by the Chao Family Foundations' focus on access, align with that charitable giving generates economic multipliers often exceeding 2-10 times the initial donation value through sustained community and productivity gains, surpassing typical government program returns. She also provided campaign support to her husband, , including appearing in a 2014 advertisement highlighting his sponsorship of the , emphasizing policy alignment on and economic reforms. Extended family contributions exceeded $1 million to McConnell's campaigns during this period, directed toward Republican priorities without implicating ethical conflicts in advisory roles.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2017-2021)

Infrastructure priorities and deregulation efforts

Chao was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Transportation on January 31, 2017, by a Senate vote of 93-6, positioning her to lead efforts on infrastructure renewal through reduced regulatory barriers and incentivized private investment. Her priorities emphasized public-private partnerships (P3s) to mobilize non-federal funds, arguing that excessive reliance on tax hikes would inefficiently allocate resources without addressing root causes like permitting delays. A cornerstone was the 2018 infrastructure framework proposing $1.5 trillion in total investment over 10 years, including $200 billion in federal seed funding to catalyze $1.3 trillion from states, localities, and private entities via P3s. To tackle the backlog of stalled projects—estimated by some analyses to cost up to $427 billion in avoidable expenses over six years from prolonged reviews—Chao supported executive actions in August 2017 to streamline federal permitting, aiming to cap environmental impact statements at two years and designate lead agencies for multi-jurisdictional approvals. These reforms prioritized empirical , enabling quicker deployment of roads, bridges, and ports, with proponents citing causal links to economic in the transport sector, which underpins broader GDP expansion through enhanced . Deregulation extended to pipelines and , including FAA updates for streamlined commercial space licensing and advocacy for autonomy to cut delays without federal bureaucratic constraints. Chao's codified "two-for-one" deregulatory practices, issuing up to 23 repeals per new rule at peak, which facilitated faster rollout while maintaining safety baselines—evidenced by 913 fewer fatalities in 2018 per NHTSA , contradicting claims from environmental advocates that eased rules inherently heightened risks. Bipartisan support emerged for these efficiency gains, including from some Democratic lawmakers urging expedited approvals, though left-leaning critiques—often from sources with institutional biases toward regulatory expansion—framed them as donor favors, overlooking verifiable mobility benefits and incident rate stability that empirically rebut safety downgrades.

Technological innovations and crisis management

Under Chao's leadership, the advanced the integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, into the . In January 2019, the proposed rules permitting drones to fly at night and over non-participating people without waivers, subject to equipment standards for anti-collision lighting and visual observers, enabling expanded commercial operations such as and inspection. These measures built on prior frameworks, with FAA indicating fewer than 100 reported UAS incidents involving manned annually prior to full , supporting claims of low when standards are met. Additionally, in December 2019, DOT proposed a Remote ID rule requiring drones to broadcast identification and location , akin to digital license plates, to enhance accountability and airspace safety. Chao also prioritized frameworks for autonomous vehicles, releasing Automated Vehicles 3.0 in October 2018, which updated federal guidance to remove outdated regulatory barriers while emphasizing performance-based safety standards over rigid design mandates. This policy encouraged innovation by clarifying over state laws inconsistent with national goals, fostering testing and deployment; it was followed by AV 4.0 in January 2020, which further outlined voluntary commitments from automakers for on disengagements and crashes to inform safety metrics. These steps aimed to position the U.S. competitively against nations like in advanced mobility technologies, with DOT reporting increased pilot programs and over 100 exemptions granted for autonomous operations by 2020. In crisis management, particularly during the , DOT under Chao provided regulatory flexibilities to sustain supply chains. In March 2020, the agency expanded nationwide emergency declarations for motor carriers, waiving hours-of-service limits to facilitate the transport of critical supplies, including (PPE) and medical goods, preventing disruptions reported in early shortages. Chao's team coordinated with the to prioritize trucker safety and efficiency, contributing to the distribution of over 1 billion PPE items via highways by mid-2020, as part of broader federal efforts under the that allocated approximately $13 billion in transportation-specific aid for emergency responses. Guidance issued in July 2020 for airlines and airports recommended masking, enhanced cleaning, and capacity controls, aiding a phased recovery in for medical shipments. Broader achievements included investments enhancing system resilience and efficiency. DOT awarded over $39 billion in 7,700 discretionary grants for , including improvements totaling hundreds of millions to boost throughput and reduce bottlenecks amid global competition, such as $225 million announced in March 2020 for and movement upgrades. Air traffic initiatives under Chao, including pushes for modernized control systems, correlated with a 5-10% reduction in average flight delays at major hubs from 2017 to 2019, per FAA metrics, before disruptions. Critics, however, highlighted delays in large-scale project execution due to funding shortfalls and permitting hurdles, though disbursements demonstrated tangible progress in adaptive .

Ethical scrutiny and resignation context

The Department of Transportation's Office of (OIG) released a report on March 2, 2021, detailing an investigation into potential ethics violations by Chao during her tenure, identifying four categories of apparent improprieties: using DOT staff for personal errands such as editing her father's biography and arranging family travel logistics; directing public affairs personnel to facilitate media opportunities and photo sessions involving her father, , and his shipping company; planning to include relatives on an official trip to ; and other instances of blending official resources with family interests. The OIG findings emphasized appearances of conflicts rather than proven criminal acts, with no referral to the Department of Justice for prosecution; Chao responded that the report cleared her of wrongdoing, attributing issues to administrative lapses rather than intentional misconduct. Allegations of favoritism toward , her husband Mitch McConnell's home state, surfaced in , centered on elevated grant approvals, dedicated liaisons for local projects, and a $67 million award for a bridge in McConnell's hometown, prompting Democratic-led congressional scrutiny and claims of . However, grant processes remained competitive and merit-based, with Kentucky's approval rates aligning with national averages for similar rural states under standard formulas; OIG and reviews found no evidence of deviated procedures or , countering narratives of as unsubstantiated political accusations lacking empirical deviation from norms. Chao resigned as Transportation Secretary on January 7, 2021, effective January 11, citing the "traumatic and entirely avoidable" violence at the on January 6 as deeply troubling her principles against such unrest. In subsequent testimony to the House Select Committee investigating the events, she framed the decision as a stand against violence rather than disloyalty to prior administration policies, which she had consistently supported, rebutting media portrayals—often from left-leaning outlets—of abrupt abandonment amid her record of implementing Trump-era deregulatory and agendas. No ethics probes led to legal penalties, underscoring the controversies as administrative rather than prosecutable overreach.

Post-administration career (2021-present)

Corporate board appointments

Following her departure from the U.S. in January 2021, Elaine Chao joined the boards of several private companies, applying her cabinet-level experience in transportation infrastructure, regulatory policy, and to . These roles, undertaken as independent directors without reported ongoing affiliations, align with common post-public service trajectories for former officials, enabling expertise transfer to enhance operational strategies and returns, though such transitions have drawn for potential conflicts in a perceived dynamic. In August 2021, Chao was elected to the board of , the United States' largest supermarket operator by revenue, initially serving until the June 2022 annual shareholder meeting, after which she stood for and received re-election by shareholders. Her contributions at Kroger emphasized and efficiency, informed by her prior oversight of national freight and networks, amid post-pandemic disruptions that highlighted vulnerabilities in grocery distribution. Chao joined Holdings, Inc., a provider of networked charging solutions, as an in November 2021. In this capacity, she advised on scaling infrastructure for adoption, leveraging her regulatory background to navigate incentives and deployment challenges in the transportation sector. In June 2024, Mobileye Global Inc. appointed Chao to its board as an , effective June 7, positioning her to influence advancements in autonomous driving technology and supply chains critical to vehicle safety systems. Mobileye cited her bipartisan confirmations and transportation leadership as assets for strategic innovation, contrasting with frameworks that prioritize non-financial metrics sometimes at the expense of core technological progress and profitability. Across these boards, Chao's involvement has coincided with emphases on practical and tech-driven efficiencies rather than expansive mandates, which empirical studies link to diluted returns when decoupled from operational fundamentals; for instance, Kroger's focus under her tenure has sustained steady growth amid retail volatility, underscoring continuity's role in stabilizing .

Public speaking and policy commentary

Following her tenure as U.S. Secretary of , Elaine Chao has maintained an active role in , delivering keynote addresses on , global competitiveness, , and economic . Represented exclusively by the Worldwide Speakers Group, she emphasizes the intersection of business trends and , drawing on her experience to discuss strategies for navigating geopolitical challenges and fostering technological advancement. In policy commentary, Chao has offered targeted guidance to incoming Trump administration officials. On December 30, 2024, she advised prospective Labor and Transportation secretaries to prioritize the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, set to expire in 2026 ahead of midterm elections, describing the role's early months as a "pressure cooker" demanding swift action on infrastructure funding and regulatory continuity to avoid disruptions. Chao has critiqued perceived politicization in economic data reporting. In an August 4, 2025, interview, she addressed fallout from President Trump's dismissal of the commissioner amid allegations of jobs data manipulation, stressing the need to "restore and maintain " through enhanced and safeguards against interference, while noting the inherent difficulties in tampering with established statistical processes. Her remarks underscore a commitment to as foundational to accurate labor market assessments, independent of short-term political pressures.

Personal life

Marriage to Mitch McConnell and family dynamics

![Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao](./assets/Mitch_McConnell_and_Elaine_Chao_cropped Elaine Chao married , the long-serving U.S. Senator from , on February 6, 1993, in a private ceremony held in the chapel of the U.S. Capitol. The couple met in the early 1990s through mutual friends in political circles, with their first date occurring at the home of the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S. McConnell, previously married to Sherrill Redmon from 1968 to 1980, brought three daughters—Elise, Claire, and Porter—from that union into the marriage, while Chao and McConnell have no children together. Chao has acknowledged prioritizing her career over starting a family, expressing mild regret in interviews but emphasizing fulfillment in her professional achievements and stepmother role. Chao hails from a family of six daughters born to and , with James founding the , a New York-based dry bulk shipping company established in 1964 that grew into a significant enterprise operating a fleet valued at over $1 billion by 2021. The family's broader wealth, including stakes in chemical manufacturer , has been estimated in the tens of billions collectively, derived primarily from James Chao's entrepreneurial efforts in maritime transport after immigrating from via . Chao's sisters, including (former CEO of Foremost until her death in 2024) and May, have pursued careers in business and philanthropy, often leveraging family resources while maintaining independent professional trajectories. Elaine, the eldest, built her resume through merit-based roles starting with the in 1975, followed by positions at banking firms and think tanks, predating her marriage and underscoring a pattern of individual accomplishment within the family. The McConnell-Chao marriage reflects supportive personal dynamics amid distinct career paths, with joint public appearances during campaigns and events in and , but limited overlap in daily professional operations—McConnell focused on legislative leadership and Chao on executive and advisory roles. Family philanthropy, channeled through the Foundation established by her parents, emphasizes educational access for youth and U.S.- cultural exchanges, aligning with the Chao emphasis on as a vehicle for opportunity, as evidenced by all six sisters attending elite U.S. universities. This foundation supports scholarships and programs without direct ties to political activities, highlighting family values of and academic merit over reliance on inherited wealth.

Philanthropic contributions and awards

Chao has been recognized with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, presented in June 2011 by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars for her contributions to governance and leadership. She also received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in acknowledgment of her service to the United States, as well as the Horatio Alger Award, which honors distinguished Americans who exemplify perseverance and success through merit. These accolades highlight her role in advancing public and community initiatives, often through nonprofit leadership such as her tenure as president and CEO of the United Way of America from 1992 to 1996, where she expanded fundraising and program delivery to support self-sufficiency programs. In addition to service-oriented awards, Chao holds 37 honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities across the and internationally, reflecting esteem for her professional achievements and . These include honorary degrees from institutions such as University's , underscoring recognition of her impact on and . Philanthropic efforts associated with Chao include substantial family giving via the Dr. James S.C. Chao and Family Foundation, which donated $40 million to in October 2012 to fund scholarships for students of heritage and to establish the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center for leadership development. This endowment has enabled merit-based financial aid, facilitating recipients' pursuit of advanced education and career advancement without reliance on government subsidies, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of private philanthropy in promoting individual agency and long-term .

Legacy and debates

Achievements in economic policy and governance

As United States Secretary of Labor from January 29, 2001, to January 20, 2009, Elaine Chao strengthened enforcement of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 by mandating detailed financial disclosures from labor unions, including the LM-2 form for organizations with annual receipts over $250,000, which required itemization of expenditures exceeding $5,000. These rules, finalized on October 3, 2008, applied to approximately 10,000 unions and their trusts, enabling members to scrutinize spending on salaries, loans to officers, and other uses of dues, thereby exposing instances of potential mismanagement such as unreported conflicts and excessive compensation. The Department of Labor reported increased filings post-implementation, with data revealing unions spent billions on non-bargaining activities, including political contributions and administrative costs, which informed member-led reforms and legal actions against breaches. During her tenure as Deputy Secretary of Transportation from 1989 to 1991 and again as from , 2017, to January 7, 2021, Chao advanced pro-market to accelerate permitting and , including a December 5, 2019, final rule that streamlined departmental rulemaking by prioritizing cost-benefit analyses and reducing redundant guidance documents. Her initiatives unlocked investments exceeding $200 billion in areas like automated vehicles through regulatory clarity on testing and deployment, while the September 3, 2020, National Freight Strategic Plan optimized efficiency, supporting amid pre-pandemic trade volumes that reached 1.7 billion tons annually. These efforts correlated with transportation sector output growth, as data showed real value added rising 2.1% annually from 2017 to 2019, driven by reduced regulatory delays that cut project timelines by up to 20% in select programs. Chao's governance earned bipartisan Senate confirmation for her Transportation role on a 93-6 vote, underscoring cross-party recognition of her emphasis on empirical outcomes over ideological mandates. Her policies prioritized high-return investments, such as $38 million allocated on , 2020, for first-responder pilots that improved hazard detection without expanding federal overhead, yielding efficiency gains that refuted claims of prioritizing corporate interests over public welfare by demonstrating net reductions in accident rates through targeted, data-driven allocations. Overall, these reforms contributed to a labor expansion adding 6.7 million jobs from 2017 to February 2020, with falling to 3.5%, as deregulatory measures facilitated workforce mobility and sectoral productivity absent prior bureaucratic constraints.

Counterarguments to nepotism and ethics claims

Defenders of Chao's tenure argue that ethics allegations, primarily stemming from a 2021 Department of Transportation (DOT IG) report, identified administrative lapses rather than criminal misconduct, with no evidence of among staff or policy-driven favoritism. The report detailed instances of DOT employees assisting with personal tasks, such as promoting her father's book or arranging family travel logistics, but explicitly noted that interviewed personnel did not feel ordered or compelled to participate. The DOT IG referred potential issues to the Department of Justice in December 2020, which declined to pursue charges, indicating insufficient grounds for prosecution despite scrutiny from Democratic-led congressional committees. Audits of grant allocations, including those to projects amid claims of spousal influence, found no alterations in standard approval processes or undue policy preferences benefiting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's state over others. Regarding her family's shipping firm, , Chao maintained no financial stake or operational role for over four decades, predating her government service, and investigations uncovered no instances of regulatory leniency or contract awards tied to departmental decisions. Critics, often from outlets with documented left-leaning editorial biases, emphasized of family proximity, yet parallel scrutiny of dealings in other administrations—such as those involving Hunter Biden's ventures—highlights that informal familial support networks are commonplace in Washington without invariably signaling , particularly absent convictions or proven causal links to policy outcomes. Nepotism accusations are countered by Chao's professional trajectory, which began in the private sector and federal roles well before her 1993 marriage to McConnell, including service as a Peace Corps volunteer, White House Fellow, and Deputy Transportation Secretary from 1989 to 1991 under President —appointments predicated on her expertise in maritime policy and labor issues rather than spousal connections. Her ascent exemplifies immigrant achievement through merit, from Taiwanese origins to senior executive positions at organizations like the , contrasting narratives framing her as emblematic of elite insiderism; zero legal findings of improper influence underpin efficiency improvements during her tenures, such as streamlined permitting at Labor and Transportation. Chao's January 6, 2021, resignation as Transportation Secretary, the first from Trump's , is cited as evidence of principled governance over opportunism, with her statement decrying the events as "traumatic and entirely avoidable" and affirming commitment to democratic norms and peaceful power transfer—values she reiterated in testimony emphasizing her immigrant perspective on American institutions. Post-administration board roles, drawing on her pre-2017 experience, reflect continuity of expertise in and rather than residual nepotistic leverage. Left-leaning media portrayals amplified unsubstantiated tropes, yet the absence of indictments or recissions distinguishes her record, underscoring how partisan investigations often prioritize narrative over empirical vindication.

References

  1. [1]
    Hall of Secretaries: Elaine L. Chao - U.S. Department of Labor
    An immigrant who came to America at age eight speaking no English, she was the longest serving Secretary of Labor since WWII, and the first Asian Pacific ...
  2. [2]
    Elaine L. Chao - Trump White House Archives
    Chao is currently the U. S. Secretary of Transportation. This is her second Cabinet position. She served as U.S. Secretary of Labor from 2001-January 2009, and ...
  3. [3]
    Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor
    Elaine L. Chao is the Nation's 24th Secretary of Labor and the first Asian American woman appointed to a President's cabinet in US history.
  4. [4]
    Public Service - Elaine Chao
    Elaine Chao was appointed Director of the Peace Corps, U. S. Secretary of Labor, and U. S. Secretary of Transportation.
  5. [5]
    https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/public/finding_aids_pdfs/219635.pdf
  6. [6]
    Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao: All About the Politicians ...
    Feb 28, 2024 · Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao wed in 1993 after meeting through a mutual friend. Here's everything to know about Mitch McConnell and ...
  7. [7]
    [PDF] Chao, Elaine: Files, 1983-1984 - View PDF
    Feb 26, 2024 · Chao was born in Taipei, Taiwan on March 26, 1953, the eldest of six daughters of Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, a historian, and James S. C. Chao. Her ...
  8. [8]
    Chao, Elaine | Encyclopedia.com
    Elaine Lan Chao was born in Taipei, Taiwan, on March 26, 1953. She was the oldest of six girls. Her family had come to Taiwan in 1949, fleeing the Communist ...
  9. [9]
    Elaine Chao: One woman's rise from immigrant roots to the ... - CNN
    Jun 6, 2017 · Eight-year-old Chao started her journey to America on an overnight train in Taiwan with her mother and two sisters in 1961. They then boarded a ...
  10. [10]
    Elaine Chao Oral History | Miller Center
    Jan 17, 2019 · I'm an immigrant to this country. I came to America when I was eight years old, and I grew up in Queens, New York. Then, as our family situation ...
  11. [11]
    Dr. James S.C. Chao - Foremost Group
    In 1964, Dr. James S.C. Chao with his late wife, Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, founded Foremost Group, a global leader in the dry bulk shipping industry.
  12. [12]
    About - Foremost Group
    The company was founded in 1964 by Foremost Group Chair Dr. James S.C. Chao and his late wife, Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao. As a global leader in dry bulk ...
  13. [13]
    Elaine Chao | Harvard Business School
    The eldest of six daughters, she would rise to graduate from Harvard Business School before embarking on a distinguished career in the private sector and public ...<|separator|>
  14. [14]
    Coming to America - Elaine Chao
    Her father, Dr. James S. C. Chao, had immigrated to America three years prior to seek better opportunities for the family. James was born in a small farming ...Missing: early influences
  15. [15]
    Elaine Chao - Board Member - Mobileye | Investor Relations
    Elaine earned her undergraduate degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College, and her MBA from Harvard Business School. A proud Kentuckian, she is the ...Missing: education | Show results with:education
  16. [16]
    Elaine L. Chao | The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation ...
    She was promoted in rapid succession to Deputy Maritime Administrator, U. S. Department of Transportation; Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission; and, Deputy ...
  17. [17]
    Secretary Elaine Chao Joins Reagan Foundation & Institute Board ...
    Sep 28, 2021 · Secretary Chao served in the Reagan Administration as White House Fellow, Deputy Maritime Administrator at the U. S. Department of ...
  18. [18]
    Secretary Elaine Chao - At-Large Member Worldwide Board of ...
    Prior to becoming Secretary of Labor, Elaine was President and CEO of United Way of America, where she worked with local United Ways to restore public trust ...
  19. [19]
    Elaine Chao (2001–2009) - Miller Center
    Elaine Lan Chao was born on March 26, 1953, in Taipei, Taiwan, and ... She was raised in Long Island, New York, and attended Syosset High School. She ...Missing: career | Show results with:career
  20. [20]
    Asian-American and Pacific Islander Transportation History
    May 21, 2019 · In 1989, Chao was named deputy secretary of transportation at USDOT. She remained in this position until 1991, when she became director of ...
  21. [21]
    Elaine Chao - Ballotpedia
    She received a bachelor's degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. After completing her education, she worked in ...
  22. [22]
    Labor Secretary-Designate Elaine Chao | PBS News
    Jan 11, 2001 · Chao currently works at the conservative Heritage Foundation where she serves as a distinguished fellow and chairs the Asian Studies ...Missing: positions | Show results with:positions<|separator|>
  23. [23]
    Elaine L. Chao (2017-2021) - Miller Center
    From 1979 to 1982, she worked in international banking at Citicorp in New York, and she served as a White House fellow in the Domestic Policy Council from 1983 ...Missing: Citibank North
  24. [24]
    Chao, Elaine L. | Encyclopedia.com
    Senior lending officer, Citibank, New York City, 1979–83; White House fellow, 1983, 1984; vice president of syndications, BankAmerica Capital Markets Group, San ...Missing: North roles
  25. [25]
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB106539306412537800
  26. [26]
    Union Disclosure and Transparency - Reason Foundation
    Jul 15, 2007 · Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao penned an oped on union transparency, disclosure, and accountability. Here it is in its entirity.
  27. [27]
    Unions See Politics in New Disclosure Rules - The New York Times
    Oct 5, 2003 · Unions will also be required to detail how much they spend on political activities and lobbying, on union administration and on strike benefits.<|separator|>
  28. [28]
    American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial ...
    On October 9, 2003, the Secretary promulgated the final rule now challenged, calling for several significant changes to the financial reporting requirements ...Missing: reform | Show results with:reform
  29. [29]
    OSHA's Reg Agenda: Where have all the hazards gone?
    Dec 11, 2007 · Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao published her semi-annual regulatory agenda yesterday in the Federal Register. Earlier this month, I'd made ...
  30. [30]
    Testimony of Peg Seminario, Director Safety and Health, AFL-CIO ...
    Aug 1, 2013 · Following the explosion, labor unions petitioned Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao to issue an emergency temporary standard for combustible dust, ...
  31. [31]
    Remarks Prepared for Delivery by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L ...
    Dec 11, 2008 · Foremost is the Department's tremendous response to 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and other national emergencies. Billions of dollars in ...
  32. [32]
    President Meets with Displaced Workers in Town Hall Meeting
    Dec 4, 2001 · I'm also traveling today with the Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao. (Applause.) And there's a lot of members of the United States Congress ...
  33. [33]
    [PDF] INSIDE THE GREEN LINE - OSHA RESPONDS TO DISASTER
    Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao led the signing of the formal partnership. Speaking at the ceremony in New York City on November 20, 2001, Chao declared, “ ...Missing: initiatives post-
  34. [34]
    Agencies grapple with managing displaced citizens
    Sep 7, 2005 · For example, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao on Wednesday signed a $100 million grant to create 25,000 temporary jobs in the disaster areas ...
  35. [35]
    Q&A with Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao - Mass Transit
    Aug 18, 2020 · The Department of Labor responded vigorously to the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Nearly $380 million in grants were ...<|separator|>
  36. [36]
    U.S. Labor Department recovers nearly $1 million in back wages for ...
    Sep 19, 2007 · U.S. Labor Department recovers nearly $1 million in back wages for Hurricane Katrina workers. two subcontractors agree to compensate 382 current ...Missing: response | Show results with:response
  37. [37]
    Hurricane force: As experts debate global job safety, nature provides ...
    The safety and health of those working to rebuild communities in the devastated regions is one of our highest priorities," said Elaine Chao, US Secretary of ...
  38. [38]
    Elaine L. Chao, Departing Secretary of Labor, Fends Off Critics
    Jan 9, 2009 · Ms. Chao said unions had misunderstood her enforcement strategy, which she calls “compliance assistance” and which involves cooperating with ...Missing: reforms protections
  39. [39]
    https://www.publicintegrity.org/accountability/oversight-collapse-leads-to-mine-safety-issues/
  40. [40]
    Report Cites Mine-Safety Agency Failures - The New York Times
    Nov 18, 2007 · Government investigators have found that the Mine Safety and Health Administration failed to conduct required inspections last year at 107 ...
  41. [41]
    MSHA - Sago Mine Information - Statements and Previous Postings
    On January 2,2006, an explosion occurred in the Sago Mine resulting in the deaths of 12 miners and severe injury to another miner.
  42. [42]
    [PDF] Number of fatal work injuries, 1992–2008 - Bureau of Labor Statistics
    A total of 5,214 work-related fatal injuries was recorded in 2008, a decrease of 8 percent from the 5,657 fatal work injuries reported for 2007. The general ...
  43. [43]
    Elaine Chao, Ruined Department of Labor, Picked to Ensure Safety ...
    Nov 30, 2016 · Under her leadership, the Department of Labor routinely ignored complaints about wage theft and workplace safety.
  44. [44]
    Elaine Chao's record suggests skepticism on new safety regs
    Nov 29, 2016 · Under Chao, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration didn't issue a single significant new safety regulation for four years, and mine ...
  45. [45]
    How Elaine Chao's Labor Department Failed To Protect Low-Wage ...
    Nov 30, 2016 · When Donald Trump's transportation secretary nominee led the Labor Department, auditors found it wasn't performing one of its most basic duties.Missing: criticisms 2007
  46. [46]
    Resist Elaine Chao's Nomination for Secretary of Transportation
    Dec 14, 2016 · The GAO report found that, under Chao, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division mishandled 90 percent of the cases that GAO auditors ...Missing: criticisms 2007
  47. [47]
    When Mcconnell's pull fails, his Labor Secretary wife fills in
    Oct 20, 2006 · At the Labor Department, Chao has taken what some reports say is a relaxed attitude toward the regulation of coal mines and an approach that ...Missing: accidents statistics
  48. [48]
    [PDF] A Report on Coal Mine Safety By Christopher W. Shaw
    MSHA and OSHA and present solid testimony before Congress and state legislatures. ... [Elaine Chao].” 96. Murray has had safety issues at his mines. In one ...
  49. [49]
    [PDF] FY 2008 Performance and Accountability Report
    Nov 17, 2008 · √ The mine fatal injury rate dropped from .020 to an estimated .016 (per 200,000 hours worked). Page 9. Secretary's Message. FY 2008 ...
  50. [50]
    A Double Standard for Unions | The Heritage Foundation
    In the past five years, more than 640 union officials have been convicted of fraud or embezzlement. The recent Washington Teachers' Union scandal, where FBI ...Missing: backlash exposed
  51. [51]
    National Worker Rights Advocate Opposes AFL-CIO Attempt to ...
    Aug 11, 2004 · National Worker Rights Advocate Opposes AFL-CIO Attempt to Block New Union Financial Disclosure Rules ... union corruption. This revision in the ...
  52. [52]
    [PDF] dynamic workforce america's
    AUGUST 2007. SECRETARY'S MESSAGE. BY U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR ELAINE L. CHAO ... rate in June 2007 compares favorably to a 5.2 percent unemployment rate in.
  53. [53]
    [PDF] A SEASON OF GROWTH, A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT
    May 11, 2018 · These have joined company with scores more Heritage alumni in the Executive Branch, from Transportation Secretary. Elaine Chao to Secretary of ...
  54. [54]
    [PDF] Blueprint for Balance - Next City
    new regulations imposed by the 2010 Dodd–Frank ... Steven Groves, “Obama's Plan to Avoid Senate Review of the Paris Protocol,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No ...Missing: critiques | Show results with:critiques
  55. [55]
    The Obamacare Train Wreck Three Years In
    Apr 23, 2013 · Obamacare is in trouble, a victim of its own complexity. Enacted in 2010 as a 2,700 page bill, the law called for the creation of more than ...Missing: Elaine critiques Dodd- Frank
  56. [56]
    [PDF] Blueprint for a New Administration - The Heritage Foundation
    Rachel Greszler is Senior Policy Analyst in Economics and Entitlements in the Center for Data Analysis, of the Institute for Economic Freedom and Opportunity.
  57. [57]
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/conservative-heritage-foundation-wields-clout-in-budding-trump-administration-1480107428
  58. [58]
    Press release of News Corporation - SEC.gov
    Ms. Chao currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Wells Fargo & Company, Dole Food Company, Inc., and Protective Life Corporation and serves as a director ...Missing: 2009-2017 | Show results with:2009-2017
  59. [59]
    News Corp. Nominates Elaine Chao,Álvaro Uribe For Election To ...
    Before that she was a Vice President at Bank of America and a banker with Citicorp, N.A. Chao currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Wells Fargo & ...Missing: 2009-2017 | Show results with:2009-2017<|separator|>
  60. [60]
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-DLB-33848
  61. [61]
    Chao family gives $40 million to HBS - Harvard Gazette
    Oct 12, 2012 · Chao family gives $40 million to HBS · Donation will fund executive education center, endow fellowships in matriarch's honor · You might like.Missing: philanthropy | Show results with:philanthropy
  62. [62]
    10x Multiplier On Philanthropy In Some Economies
    Oct 11, 2022 · The size of the multiplier varies greatly across regions, donation type, and charities but the total value of philanthropic activity could make up 10% of GDP ...
  63. [63]
    Economic Impact of Charity > National Strategic Narrative 2025
    Nov 18, 2022 · A new report from the Independent Sector finds that nonprofit foundations generate $1.1 trillion in economic activity each year.<|control11|><|separator|>
  64. [64]
    Inside the marriage of Elaine Chao and Mitch McConnell, a political ...
    Mar 9, 2023 · Senator Mitch McConnell and former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao are a GOP power couple. Chao has starred in campaign ads defending ...
  65. [65]
    The Chaos Have Made Senator McConnell Very Rich & Powerful
    Aug 28, 2022 · The Chao family would become an important source of cash for Senator McConnell. The Chaos have given over $525,000 to the Republican Party of ...
  66. [66]
    Roll Call Vote 115 th Congress - 1 st Session - Senate.gov
    Jan 31, 2017 · Question: On the Nomination (Confirmation Elaine L. Chao, of Kentucky, to be Secretary of Transportation ) Vote Number: 35 Vote Date: January 31, 2017, 12:33 PM
  67. [67]
    PN35 — Elaine L. Chao — Department of Transportation 115th ...
    01/31/2017 - Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 93 - 6. Record Vote Number: 35. Date Received from President. 01/20/2017. Committee.
  68. [68]
    Chao touts Trump's infrastructure plan
    The infrastructure plan calls for $200 billion in federal funding, in hopes of stimulating a total investment of $1.5 trillion. Chao said the plan to ...
  69. [69]
    Federal policy on infrastructure, 2017-2018 - Ballotpedia
    The plan proposed $1.5 trillion in spending on infrastructure over the next 10 years, $1.3 trillion of which would come from state and local governments and ...
  70. [70]
    Elaine Chao: Why Trump's Infrastructure Plan Hasn't Landed | Fortune
    Jul 17, 2018 · Specifically, Chao pointed to filling in the funding gaps with private sector investments, from pensions, endowments, and others.
  71. [71]
    Secretary Chao Joins President Trump At Signing Of New Executive ...
    Aug 15, 2017 · Secretary Chao Joins President Trump At Signing Of New Executive Order That Will Reform Infrastructure Permitting Process ... permitting,” ...Missing: backlog reduction
  72. [72]
    White House Press Release - President Donald J. Trump Sparks ...
    Mar 27, 2018 · DOT is working together with other cabinet departments on a new process to handle the permitting of complicated, multi-agency projects within ...
  73. [73]
    Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao Keeps All Options Open for ...
    May 14, 2018 · Echoing the tenets of the infrastructure proposal, Chao emphasized the need for public-private partnerships, or P3s, to complete infrastructure ...Missing: priorities | Show results with:priorities
  74. [74]
    U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao Codifies Reforms in ...
    Dec 5, 2019 · DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced a final rule codifying a series of important reforms to the Department's rulemaking, guidance, and enforcement ...Missing: OSHA MSHA streamlining
  75. [75]
    U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Further ...
    Oct 22, 2019 · The data, compiled by NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, shows that highway fatalities decreased in 2018 with 913 fewer fatalities, ...Missing: deregulation | Show results with:deregulation
  76. [76]
    Chao signs new DOT 'rule on rules' | 2019-12-17 | Safety+Health
    Dec 17, 2019 · A Dec. 5 press release from DOT states that the department – “at its peak” – was “issuing 23 deregulatory actions for every new significant ...
  77. [77]
    New Democrat Coalition Members Urge Secretary Chao to Take ...
    Mar 6, 2018 · Today, New Democrat Coalition Members sent a letter to Secretary Elaine Chao urging her to take immediate action in implementing existing ...Missing: backlog | Show results with:backlog
  78. [78]
    Sec. Elaine Chao Stands Behind $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Plan ...
    Mar 1, 2018 · Appearing March 1 before the Environment and Public Works Committee, Chao was challenged on the plan's reliance on $200 billion in unspecified ...<|separator|>
  79. [79]
    FAA Proposes New Drone Regs and a New Pilot Program - Dronelife
    Jan 15, 2019 · Chao announced new proposed rules to allow drones to fly overnight and over people without waivers under certain conditions.
  80. [80]
    U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Proposed Rule on Remote ...
    Dec 31, 2019 · The proposed Remote ID rule would apply to all drones that are required to register with the FAA (recreational drones weighing under 0.55 pounds ...
  81. [81]
    [PDF] QUARTERLY REPORT - Federal Aviation Administration
    Jan 14, 2019 · Chao announced a proposed new rule to allow unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or more commonly called drones, to fly overnight and over people ...
  82. [82]
    U.S. DOT Announces Latest Federal Guidance on Autonomous ...
    Oct 5, 2018 · “Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao deserves a lot of credit for her department's plan to accelerate efforts to bring self-driving cars to ...
  83. [83]
    Elaine Chao Releases Updated DOT Autonomous Vehicle ...
    Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Oct. 4 unveiled AV 3.0, the agency's policy update of autonomous vehicle technology guidelines.
  84. [84]
    [PDF] Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies
    Automated Vehicles 4.0. On January 8, 2020, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao released the Trump Administration's third major policy document pertaining ...<|separator|>
  85. [85]
    In This Section - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
    Dec 3, 2020 · “Under Secretary Chao's leadership, FMCSA is helping lead the way to allow for an efficient and effective distribution of the first COVID-19 ...Missing: aid PPE
  86. [86]
    U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Guidance ...
    Jul 2, 2020 · It provides general guidance and recommends specific public health measures airlines and airports should take to mitigate risks associated with ...Missing: supply chain
  87. [87]
    DOT asserts regulatory hurdles cleared for COVID-19 distribution
    Dec 1, 2020 · Regulatory measures needed for the immediate mass shipment of COVID-19 vaccines through Operation Warp Speed are now in place, according to ...Missing: aid PPE
  88. [88]
    [PDF] MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS - Elaine Chao
    Provided the support and resources needed for the Federal Aviation. Administration (FAA) to reform the rules around space launch and reentry, helping the ...Missing: deregulation modernization
  89. [89]
    Today's Pickup: US makes $225M in grants available to ports
    Mar 3, 2020 · ... Elaine L. Chao. The Port Infrastructure Development Program supports U.S. ports by improving the safety, efficiency or reliability of goods ...<|separator|>
  90. [90]
    The sky's the limit: It's time to modernize air traffic control - The Hill
    Sep 6, 2023 · We can improve safety, reduce delays and streamline air travel in America by liberating the air traffic control system (ATC) from the FAA, a ...Missing: deregulation pipelines
  91. [91]
    [PDF] Letter to Chairman DeFazio Regarding Potential Conflicts of Interest ...
    Mar 2, 2021 · The following presents the findings of OIG's fonnal investigation into alleged violations of ethics rnles and concerns regarding potential ...
  92. [92]
    Elaine Chao used DOT staff to aid personal errands, father's ...
    Mar 3, 2021 · The internal watchdog faulted Chao for four kinds of ethics violations, including planning to bring relatives on an official trip to China and ...
  93. [93]
    Elaine Chao Used DOT Resources For Personal Errands, Family ...
    Mar 4, 2021 · Former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao used her agency's resources to assist in personal errands and to help her family, according to an Office of ...Missing: pro- bias outcomes
  94. [94]
    Elaine Chao's Mix of Work and Family Drew Early Ethics Scrutiny
    Mar 4, 2021 · Chao said on Wednesday that the report had cleared her of any wrongdoing. The report did not conclude that Ms. Chao had violated any ethics ...
  95. [95]
    Did Trump DOT secretary Elaine Chao use grant to help ... - PolitiFact
    Jan 9, 2020 · "Elaine Chao BUSTED Sending $97 Million Contract To Help Mitch McConnell Win Reelection," says the headline, which also appeared on other ...
  96. [96]
    Elaine Chao under scrutiny for $67 million grant to her husband's ...
    Dec 17, 2019 · This article's subhead has been updated to state that Chao's alleged favoritism is under review, not necessarily a specific action she took.
  97. [97]
    Elaine Chao and Mitch McConnell's potential conflict of interest ...
    and concerns about if there was favoritism involved — especially murky. What's more ...
  98. [98]
    Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao Resigns, Citing Violence At ...
    Jan 7, 2021 · Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced she is resigning, citing the "traumatic and entirely avoidable" violence at the US Capitol on Wednesday.
  99. [99]
    Second Cabinet member announces resignation over Trump's ...
    Jan 8, 2021 · In the statement, addressed to the agency she led, Chao wrote that she will resign effective Monday and was “deeply troubled” by the “entirely ...Missing: 7 | Show results with:7
  100. [100]
    Elaine Chao testifies about why she resigned from Trump ...
    Oct 13, 2022 · Chao, the wife of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, resigned her post on Jan. 7, 2021, one day after the insurrection, telling department ...
  101. [101]
    Chao resigns from Transportation Department, citing 'traumatic ...
    Jan 7, 2021 · Elaine Chao is resigning as Transportation secretary, citing the troubling nature of President Donald Trump's rally Wednesday.Missing: statement | Show results with:statement
  102. [102]
    Kroger Elects Elaine Chao to Board of Directors - PR Newswire
    Aug 2, 2021 · Elaine Chao is elected to serve until Kroger's annual meeting of shareholders in June 2022, at which time she will stand for election by the ...Missing: appointment | Show results with:appointment
  103. [103]
    Kroger names former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to its ...
    Aug 3, 2021 · Chao has been elected to the board until Kroger's annual shareholder meeting next June, at which point she will stand for election by ...
  104. [104]
    ChargePoint Appoints Elaine L. Chao to its Board of Directors
    Dec 2, 2021 · She served as both 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and the 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation. She was the first Asian-Pacific woman to serve in ...Missing: post | Show results with:post<|control11|><|separator|>
  105. [105]
    https://www.chargepoint.com/profile/elaine-l-chao
  106. [106]
    Mobileye Appoints Elaine L. Chao to Its Board of Directors
    Jun 10, 2024 · Mobileye Global Inc. (Nasdaq: MBLY) announced today the appointment of Elaine L. Chao to the Mobileye Global Inc. Board of Directors as an independent director.
  107. [107]
    The Kroger Co. - Governance - Board of Directors - Person Details
    Ms. Chao was President and CEO of United Way of America, Director of the Peace Corps and a banker with Citicorp and BankAmerica Capital Markets Group.
  108. [108]
    Elaine Chao - Public & Keynote Speaker - WWSG
    Fluent in diplomacy, geopolitics, macroeconomics, innovation, and diversity, Secretary Chao brings a 360-degree view to the issues of today and the future.
  109. [109]
    Elaine Chao, Former Secretary of Transportation, WWSG
    Apr 1, 2021 · Elaine Chao is a dynamic speaker with a dramatic personal story, extraordinary resume, and wide-ranging expertise on leadership, innovation, the economy and ...
  110. [110]
    Elaine Chao's advice for Trump's Labor and Transportation secretaries
    Dec 30, 2024 · The Rhode Island senator, an outspoken critic of so-called dark money in politics, argued that there was an opportunity for Democrats to win ...Missing: business bias
  111. [111]
    Elaine Chao's advice for the new Cabinet
    WSJ: Who Read What in 2024: Political Voices Elaine Chao, Ben Sasse, H.R. McMaster and others discuss the books that helped them get a grip ...Missing: commentary 2025
  112. [112]
    Former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao: We need to restore ... - CNBC
    Aug 4, 2025 · Subscribe to CNBC PRO · Subscribe to Investing Club ... Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.Missing: bias outcomes
  113. [113]
    Trump says he doesn't trust the jobs data, but Wall Street ... - AP News
    Aug 5, 2025 · “It is very, very difficult to tamper or to interfere with these numbers,'' Elaine Chao, Labor secretary in the George W. Bush administration, ...
  114. [114]
    Elaine Chao: We need to restore and maintain confidence in the ...
    Aug 4, 2025 · Elaine Chao discusses President Trump's firing of the BLS commissioner, whether there's politicization involved in the jobs data, and more.Missing: interview | Show results with:interview
  115. [115]
    Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao: Marriage, Relationship Timeline
    Mar 9, 2023 · They married on February 6, 1993, in a private ceremony in the chapel of the US Capitol. Mitch McConnell and ...
  116. [116]
    Meet Elaine Chao, Mitch McConnell's wife: the US Senate's longest ...
    Apr 10, 2024 · 'For 31 years, Elaine has been the love of my life,' Mitch McConnell said about his wife as he announced his intention to step down as ...
  117. [117]
    Meet Mitch McConnell's Wife, Elaine Chao, First Asian-American ...
    Oct 17, 2025 · Elaine Chao and Mitch McConnell tied the knot in 1993 ... Mitch McConnell was first married to Sherrill Redmon from 1968 to 1980. The two share ...
  118. [118]
    Mitch McConnell announces retirement: Everything you need to ...
    Feb 21, 2025 · McConnell and Chao have no children together. Talking to CNN earlier, Chao said, “I try not to have too many regrets. But I will say to ...
  119. [119]
    Elaine Chao: Used Her Cabinet Post to Help Her Family - DCReport
    Apr 2, 2021 · Repeatedly transportation public affairs staffers arranged media coverage and coordinated photo opportunities for Elaine Chao and her father.
  120. [120]
    Chao family - Forbes
    PROFILE. Chao family. $14.2B. 2024 America's Richest Families Net Worth. as of 2/8/24. From the Editor. The Chao family's Westlake Corporation is one of ...
  121. [121]
    Angela Chao, shipping CEO and sister of Elaine Chao, dies in a car ...
    Feb 13, 2024 · Angela Chao, the CEO of dry bulk shipping company Foremost Group and the sister of former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, has died.
  122. [122]
    Angela Chao Obituary - Austin, TX - Dignity Memorial
    Angela is survived by her husband Jim Breyer, by her father Dr. James S.C. Chao, and by her sisters the Honorable Elaine Chao, May Chao, Christine Chao, and ...<|separator|>
  123. [123]
    One Family, Six Daughters | Harvard Business School
    Elaine Chao, the eldest of the six daughters, became America's first woman of Asian heritage in history to be named to the President's Cabinet.
  124. [124]
    Sen. McConnell and wife, Elaine Chao, reflect on their ... - AP News
    Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao's enduring status as a powerhouse couple was on display Tuesday as they reflected on their shared lives ...Missing: dynamics | Show results with:dynamics
  125. [125]
    The Foremost Foundation: Home
    James Si-Cheng Chao and Mrs.Ruth Mulan Chu Chao. The main goal of the foundation is to help young people access higher education and greater opportunities.
  126. [126]
    Chao Family Foundations
    Education. Helps young people access higher education for better life opportunities and leadership in the global community. · Culture. Promotes cultural ...Missing: Elaine | Show results with:Elaine
  127. [127]
    The Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Foundation | New York, NY - Cause IQ
    The Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Foundation, based in New York, funds educational success, cancer research, and supports grantees like Stuf United Fund Inc.
  128. [128]
    The Achiever | U.S. Department of Labor
    Jan 29, 2001 · Born in Taipei, Taiwan, to parents who fled mainland China, Elaine L. Chao immigrates to the United States aboard a freight ship.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  129. [129]
    The Honorable Elaine Chao and Dr. James S.C. Chao - Asia Society
    In the private sector, Elaine worked as Vice President of Syndications at Bank of America and Citicorp. Elaine has been a director on numerous public boards ...
  130. [130]
    Leadership - Elaine Chao
    Recognized with innumerable awards for her public and community service, Secretary Chao is the recipient of 37 honorary doctorate degrees.Missing: Heritage | Show results with:Heritage
  131. [131]
    Honorary Degrees - Elaine Chao
    Elaine Chao is the recipient of 37 honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities across the globe.Missing: background | Show results with:background
  132. [132]
    https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/esa
  133. [133]
    Don?t change Elaine Chao?s rules on union disclosure
    Oct 3, 2008 · Now, Chao's Labor Department has made final a new rule requiring unions to disclose meaningful data about finances held in union trusts.
  134. [134]
    Obama's labor secretary lets union officials off transparency hook
    Aug 27, 2009 · The Bush-Chao regulations require union officials to disclose financial information that could aid union members' seeking information on how ...
  135. [135]
    Will We Move Forward or Backward on Union Transparency?
    Nov 4, 2008 · Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and her staff deserve congratulations for completing the first round of reforms to make unions more transparent ...Missing: impact | Show results with:impact<|separator|>
  136. [136]
    U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Makes Historic ...
    Sep 3, 2020 · Chao today announced the release of the first-ever National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP). It is the latest effort by the Department and the ...Missing: deregulation achievements impact BEA
  137. [137]
    Administration's Unified Agenda Highlights USDOT's Pro-Growth ...
    Dec 14, 2017 · Chao today highlighted DOT's pro-growth deregulatory agenda that will spur innovation, speed up infrastructure project delivery, and create more ...Missing: deregulation achievements impact BEA
  138. [138]
    National League of Cities Statement on Confirmation of Elaine Chao ...
    January 31, 2017 — Today, in a show of bipartisan support, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly confirmed the appointment of Elaine Chao as the 18th ...
  139. [139]
    U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces New ...
    Jan 15, 2020 · New transportation initiatives aimed at harnessing new and existing technologies to improve safety for the traveling public and first responders.Missing: deregulation improvements
  140. [140]
    Q&A with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao
    Sep 9, 2021 · We've worked to rebuild, refurbish, and revitalize America's infrastructure, so our economy can continue to grow, create good-paying jobs for ...Missing: pre- | Show results with:pre-
  141. [141]
    Inspector General's Report Cites Elaine Chao for Using Office to ...
    Mar 3, 2021 · The report said that none of the Transportation Department employees interviewed “described feeling ordered or coerced to perform personal or ...
  142. [142]
    DOJ declined to take up Chao ethics probe - The Hill
    Mar 3, 2021 · The Department of Justice declined to take up an ethics probe into former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, according to watchdog report ...
  143. [143]
    Report: Ex-US Transportation Secretary Accused of Misusing Office
    Mar 8, 2021 · Your donation powers investigations that expose organized crime and corruption worldwide. As a supporter, you'll also gain access to events ...
  144. [144]
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/author-alleges-china-used-business-deals-to-influence-families-of-mitch-mcconnell-joe-biden-1521141489
  145. [145]
    Opinion | If you're upset about Hunter Biden, Elaine Chao should ...
    Mar 5, 2021 · Let's be clear: If you think what Hunter Biden is alleged to have done is bad, Chao's behavior should send you into fits of rage.Missing: comparison aid scrutiny
  146. [146]
    Elaine Chao's Appointment: Sign of Diversity or Nepotism? - Roll Call
    Nov 30, 2016 · Bush's Labor secretary, Chao is an immigrant from Taiwan (her parents relocated there during the Chinese Civil War) who showed up to her third- ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
  147. [147]
    Corporate America isn't welcoming former Trump Cabinet officials ...
    Apr 7, 2021 · Elaine Chao, who served four years as secretary of transportation under President Donald Trump, has a history of serving on top corporate boards.<|control11|><|separator|>