On October 7, 2009, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions approved, by a voice vote, President Obama’s nomination of William E. Springs as Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Labor. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy provides advice and assistance to the DOL regarding such topics as policy development, program evaluation and implementation, budget and performance analysis, and legislation.

At the time of his nomination, Spriggs worked as a professor and Chair of the Department of Economics at Howard University. Spriggs also served on the Agency Review Team for the DOL during President Obama’s transition to the White House. During the Clinton Administration, Spriggs led the staff of the National Commission for Employment Policy and served as a senior economist for the Democratic staff of the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. 

Spriggs also served as Chair of the Independent Health Care Trust for UAW Retirees of Food Motor Company, Chair of the UAW Retirees of the Dana Corporation Health and Welfare Trust, and Vice Chair of the Board of the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute. Spriggs also served on the United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union National Commission on ICE Misconduct and Violation of 4th Amendment Rights.