History of Elaine Chao in Timeline
Elaine Lan Chao is a prominent American businesswoman and former government official known for her roles as United States Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 and as United States Secretary of Transportation under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021. As a member of the Republican Party, she holds the distinction of being the first Asian American woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet. Chao's tenure in government was marked by significant influence in labor and transportation sectors. Her resignation as Secretary of Transportation came in the wake of the January 6 Capitol attack, highlighting her commitment to principles amidst political turmoil.
1933: Frances Perkins Became the Longest-Serving Secretary of Labor
Frances Perkins was the longest-serving Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1945: Frances Perkins Finished Her Tenure as the Longest-Serving Secretary of Labor
Frances Perkins finished her tenure as the longest-serving Secretary of Labor in 1945.
March 26, 1953: Elaine Chao's Birth
Elaine Lan Chao was born on March 26, 1953.
1959: The Landrum–Griffin Act Was Passed
The Landrum–Griffin Act was passed in 1959.
1961: Elaine Chao, Her Mother, and Two Sisters Immigrated to the United States
In 1961, Elaine Chao, her mother, and two younger sisters immigrated to the United States.
1964: James S.C. Chao Founded Foremost Maritime Corporation.
In 1964, James S.C. Chao founded the Foremost Maritime Corporation in New York City.
1971: Last National Emergency Injunction Before 2002
The Bush administration obtained a national emergency injunction against both the employers and the union under the Taft–Hartley Act for the first time since 1971.
1986: Elaine Chao Became Deputy Administrator of the Maritime Administration
In 1986, Elaine Chao became the Deputy Administrator of the Maritime Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation.
1988: Elaine Chao Became Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission
Elaine Chao served as the chair of the Federal Maritime Commission from 1988-1989.
1988: Elaine Chao Became Chairwoman of the Federal Maritime Commission
From 1988 to 1989, Elaine Chao served as chairwoman of the Federal Maritime Commission.
1989: Elaine Chao Was Nominated to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation
In 1989, then-president George H.W. Bush nominated Elaine Chao to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation; she served from 1989 to 1991.
1989: Petrolsoft co-founded by Hartogensis
In 1989, Gordon Hartogensis, Chao's brother-in-law, co-founded the forecasting-software company Petrolsoft, which marked the beginning of his successful career in the software industry.
1989: Elaine Chao Became Deputy Secretary of Transportation
In 1989, Elaine Chao became the Deputy Secretary of Transportation.
1991: Elaine Chao Became Director of the Peace Corps
From 1991 to 1992, Elaine Chao was the director of the Peace Corps.
1991: Elaine Chao Finished Her Tenure as Deputy Secretary of Transportation
In 1991, Elaine Chao finished her tenure as the Deputy Secretary of Transportation.
1992: Elaine Chao Began Working as President and CEO of United Way of America
Following her service in President George H.W. Bush's administration, Chao worked from 1992 to 1996 as president and CEO of United Way of America.
1992: Elaine Chao Worked as President and CEO of United Way of America
Following her service in President George H.W. Bush's administration, Chao worked from 1992 to 1996 as president and CEO of United Way of America.
1992: Elaine Chao Finished Her Role as Director of the Peace Corps
In 1992, Elaine Chao finished her role as Director of the Peace Corps.
1993: Elaine Chao Became President of the United Way of America
In 1993 Elaine Chao became the president of the United Way of America.
1993: Marriage to Mitch McConnell
In 1993, Elaine Chao married Mitch McConnell, a U.S. Senator from Kentucky, marking a significant personal milestone and partnership in her life.
1996: Elaine Chao Worked at a Conservative Think Tank
From 1996 until her appointment as Secretary of Labor, Chao worked at a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C.
1996: Elaine Chao Finished Her Role as President of the United Way of America
In 1996, Elaine Chao finished her role as president of the United Way of America.
1996: Chao initiated into Omicron Delta Kappa
In 1996, Elaine Chao was initiated as an honoris causa member of Omicron Delta Kappa at SUNY Plattsburgh, acknowledging her achievements and contributions.
1997: The Department of Labor's Annual Number of Employees Receiving Back Wages Increased
From 1997 to 2007 the annual number of employees receiving back wages as a result of DOL action almost doubled and the dollar amount of back wages paid more than doubled.
2000: Petrolsoft acquired by Aspen Technology
In 2000, Petrolsoft, a forecasting-software company co-founded by Gordon Hartogensis, was acquired by Aspen Technology for $60 million, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2000: Elaine Chao Delivered a Speech at the Republican National Convention
Elaine Chao delivered a speech at the 2000 Republican National Convention.
September 11, 2001: Terrorist Attacks of September 11
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, prompted action from Elaine Chao's Department of Labor.
2001: Elaine Chao Became United States Secretary of Labor
In 2001, Elaine Chao became the United States Secretary of Labor under the administration of George W. Bush.
2002: West Coast Ports Dispute Resolved
In 2002, a major West Coast ports dispute costing the U.S. economy nearly $1 billion daily was resolved when the Bush administration obtained a national emergency injunction against both the employers and the union under the Taft–Hartley Act for the first time since 1971.
2003: Labor Union Financial Disclosure Regulations Updated
In 2003, for the first time in more than 40 years, the Department of Labor updated the labor union financial disclosure regulations under the Landrum–Griffin Act of 1959, which created more extensive disclosure requirements for union-sponsored pension plans and other trusts to prevent embezzlement or other financial mismanagement.
2004: The Department of Labor Issued Revisions of the White-Collar Overtime Regulations
In 2004, the Department of Labor issued revisions of the white-collar overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
2005: The 2005 Hurricane Season
Following the 2005 hurricane season, which included hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, the Labor Department disbursed nearly $380 million in grants to assist with cleanup work and provide benefits and services to those displaced by the storms.
2005: Government Accountability Office Investigated the Department of Labor
The Government Accountability Office investigated the Department of Labor from 2005 to 2007.
January 2006: Sago Mine explosion and Alma Mine fire
In January 2006, two significant mining disasters occurred in West Virginia: the Sago Mine explosion, which resulted in 12 fatalities, and the Alma Mine fire, which killed two miners. Following these incidents, Secretary Elaine Chao pledged to take necessary actions to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
May 2006: Darby Mine No. 1 explosion
In May 2006, the Darby Mine No. 1 explosion in Kentucky claimed the lives of five miners. This tragedy was one of several mining disasters that year, prompting increased scrutiny on mine safety practices and regulations.
2006: Chao receives Great Immigrants Award
In 2006, Elaine Chao was named a winner in the inaugural class of the Great Immigrants Award by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, celebrating her impact as an immigrant leader.
2006: Mine safety breaches and inspection failures in 2006
In 2006, a report by the Office of Inspector General revealed that mine safety regulators failed to conduct federally required inspections at over one-seventh of the 731 underground coal mines in the United States. This negligence coincided with a significant increase in worker deaths in mining accidents, which more than doubled to 47 that year. The Mine Safety and Health Administration missed 147 inspections at 107 mines employing a total of 7,500 workers.
August 2007: Crandall Canyon Mine collapse
In August 2007, the Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah collapsed, resulting in the deaths of six workers and three rescuers. This disaster highlighted ongoing safety challenges in the mining industry and was part of a series of incidents prompting regulatory responses.
2007: Proposed increase in fines for mine safety breaches
In 2007, Elaine Chao and the Bush administration proposed significantly increasing the fines imposed on mining corporations for mine safety breaches. This proposal came in response to findings that mine operators were failing to maintain safe working conditions, as highlighted by various mining disasters and a report indicating the lack of required inspections in the previous year.
2007: Government Accountability Office Concluded Their Investigation of the Department of Labor
In 2007, after analyzing 70,000 closed case files from 2005 to 2007, the Government Accountability Office reported that the Department's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) inadequately investigated complaints from low- and minimum-wage workers alleging that employers failed to pay the federal minimum wage, required overtime, and failed to issue a last paycheck.
January 2008: Changes in OSHA targeted companies
In January 2008, changes in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules led to a nearly 50% decrease in the number of companies targeted for inspections. This was part of an initiative to focus on problematic workplaces, though an internal audit later criticized the initiative for data gathering and enforcement issues.
April 2008: Financial gift from Chao's father
In April 2008, Elaine Chao and her husband Mitch McConnell received a substantial financial gift ranging between $5 million and $25 million from Chao's father, marking a significant personal financial event for the couple.
2008: Government Accountability Office Reported that the Labor Department Gave Inaccurate Numbers to Congress
A 2008 Government Accountability Office report noted that the Labor Department gave Congress inaccurate numbers which understated the expense of contracting out its employees' work to private firms during Chao's tenure, which may have affected 22 employees at the department.
2008: Inman's involvement in McConnell's campaign
In 2008, Todd Inman, who would later become special liaison for Kentucky under Elaine Chao, was involved in Mitch McConnell's re-election campaign, establishing a connection that would attract later scrutiny.
January 2009: Elaine Chao Left Government
Elaine Chao left the government in January 2009.
November 2009: Opening of McConnell-Chao Archives
In November 2009, the University of Louisville's Ekstrom Library opened the McConnell-Chao Archives, an important component of the university's McConnell Center, highlighting the couple's political and public service contributions.
2009: Elaine Chao Finished Her Tenure as United States Secretary of Labor
In 2009, Elaine Chao finished her tenure as the United States Secretary of Labor under the administration of George W. Bush.
2009: Resumption of role at a think tank and media contributions
In 2009, Elaine Chao resumed her previous role at a think tank and began contributing to Fox News and other media outlets. This marked a return to her career outside of government service following her tenure as Secretary of Labor.
2009: Department of Labor's achievements and internal audit
In 2009, the Department of Labor under Elaine Chao achieved record low rates of worker injury, illness, and fatalities, along with significant recoveries in back wages and workers' pension plans. However, an internal audit revealed issues with an OSHA initiative, including uneven inspections and failure to identify repeat fatalities due to data handling errors.
2010: Widows' lawsuit over Alma Mine fire
In 2010, the widows of the two men killed in the 2006 Alma Mine fire filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the federal government. They cited the federal agency's lack of inspections, failure to address violations, and conflicts of interest as contributing factors to the disaster. This case underscored significant lapses in mine safety oversight.
June 2011: Receipt of the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service
In June 2011, Elaine Chao was honored with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service. This award recognized her contributions and service in various capacities throughout her career.
2011: Auric Technology sold
In 2011, Gordon Hartogensis, Chao's brother-in-law, sold Auric Technology LLC, an application software company he founded, to a Mexico-based company, furthering his achievements in the software business.
2012: Chao family donates to Harvard Business School
In 2012, the Chao family donated $40 million to Harvard Business School. The donation funded scholarships for students of Chinese heritage and the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center, an executive education building named after Elaine Chao's late mother. This building is notably the first at Harvard Business School named after a woman and an American of Asian ancestry.
2012: Joining the board of Bloomberg Philanthropies
Elaine Chao joined the board of Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2012, contributing her expertise to the organization's initiatives. Her role on the board was part of her involvement with various corporate and non-profit boards.
2013: Appeals court ruling on MSHA liability
In 2013, an appeals court ruled that the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) could be held liable for negligent inspections that result in wrongful deaths of coal miners. This ruling was significant in holding federal agencies accountable for safety oversight failures.
2013: Progress Kentucky SuperPAC controversy
In 2013, liberal SuperPAC Progress Kentucky faced backlash for tweeting about Mitch McConnell's Chinese wife, Elaine Chao, alleging that she was responsible for jobs moving to China. The tweets were removed after NPR highlighted that Chao was a U.S. citizen born in Taiwan, and the PAC had failed to file necessary disclosures.
2014: Inman's continued involvement with McConnell
In 2014, Todd Inman continued his work on Mitch McConnell's re-election campaign, later becoming a key figure in Kentucky-related projects under Elaine Chao's leadership, which would draw ethical concerns.
2014: Apology issued for anti-Asian remark
In 2014, a Kentucky Democrat made a controversial statement about Elaine Chao, claiming she isn't from Kentucky and is Asian. The Kentucky Democratic Party later issued an apology for this remark.
2014: Chao supports McConnell's reelection campaign
In 2014, although not holding public office, Elaine Chao was actively involved in supporting her husband Mitch McConnell's reelection campaign for the U.S. Senate. She headlined numerous events and was a significant influence in his victory against Democratic candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes. McConnell acknowledged her as his biggest asset, highlighting her prior service as a cabinet member.
2014: Settlement and training course development
The lawsuit filed by the widows of the Alma Mine fire victims was settled in 2014. As part of the settlement, the Mine Safety and Health Administration agreed to create a training course focused on preventing fires in underground mines, addressing concerns raised by the lawsuit.
January 2015: Resignation from Bloomberg Philanthropies
In January 2015, Elaine Chao resigned from the board of Bloomberg Philanthropies. Her resignation was prompted by the organization's decision to significantly increase support for the Sierra Club's 'Beyond Coal' initiative, which conflicted with her views.
2015: Chao receives honorary doctorate from Georgetown
In 2015, Elaine Chao was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Georgetown McDonough School of Business, recognizing her contributions to public service and leadership.
November 29, 2016: Nomination as Secretary of Transportation
On November 29, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Elaine Chao as the Secretary of Transportation. This nomination marked her return to a high-level government position, reflecting her extensive experience in public service.
January 31, 2017: Confirmation as Secretary of Transportation
Elaine Chao was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of Transportation on January 31, 2017, with a vote of 93–6. Her husband, Mitch McConnell, who was then the Senate majority leader, abstained from the vote. This confirmation solidified her role in the Trump administration.
February 2017: Speech regarding women's empowerment
In February 2017, Elaine Chao delivered a speech on women's empowerment, organized by a speaker's bureau. The event was linked to the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), a controversial group, which was later criticized. This involvement was part of a series of speeches by various prominent figures.
2017: Canceled China trip due to ethics concerns
In 2017, Elaine Chao planned a trip to China that was canceled due to State Department ethics concerns over including family members. The House later investigated potential conflicts of interest but found no charges.
2017: Establishment of drone integration pilot program
In 2017, Elaine Chao announced the creation of a pilot program to test and evaluate the integration of civil and public drone operations into the airspace system. This initiative aimed to explore the potential of drones in various sectors and ensure their safe integration into national airspace.
2017: Chao's initial pledge to divest stock
In 2017, Elaine Chao initially pledged to divest her deferred stock units with Vulcan Materials, setting the stage for later scrutiny over her compliance with the pledge.
2017: Elaine Chao Became United States Secretary of Transportation
In 2017, Elaine Chao became the United States Secretary of Transportation under the administration of Donald Trump.
2017: Chao's appointment of special liaison for Kentucky
In 2017, Elaine Chao appointed Todd Inman as a special liaison for Kentucky projects within the Transportation Department, which was unique to the state, leading to scrutiny over potential preferential treatment.
January 2018: Foremost Group's shipping activities to China
In January 2018, critics highlighted that 72% of the tonnage of chartered cargo shipped by Elaine Chao's family's company, Foremost Group, was directed to and from China, raising questions about the company's ties to China.
April 2018: Chao's pledge to divest stock units
In April 2018, Elaine Chao pledged to divest her deferred stock units from Vulcan Materials into cash to avoid conflicts of interest, following her tenure on the board of directors.
October 2018: Analysis of Chao's private appointments
In October 2018, a Politico analysis revealed that Elaine Chao had over 290 hours of private appointments during work hours in her first 14 months as Secretary of Transportation. Former officials found this unusual, though the label was claimed necessary for security.
December 2018: Mitch McConnell announces re-election bid
In December 2018, Mitch McConnell announced his 2020 re-election bid in Kentucky, highlighting grants awarded to Kentucky projects during Elaine Chao's tenure as Secretary of Transportation. Investigations later found no improper influence in these grants.
2018: Selection of participants for drone integration project
In 2018, ten participants were selected to take part in the drone integration pilot program initiated by Elaine Chao. This selection marked a significant step in the project aimed at exploring the capabilities and regulations surrounding drone technology.
March 2019: Formation of the NETT Council
In March 2019, Elaine Chao announced the formation of the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council. This internal Department of Transportation group was tasked with identifying jurisdictional and regulatory gaps for new transportation technologies, aiming to modernize the transportation sector.
April 2019: Foremost Group's China shipping activities
By April 2019, the continued focus on Foremost Group's shipping activities to China was a point of contention, with 72% of the chartered cargo tonnage being shipped to and from China as per client direction, sparking further controversy.
April 2019: FAA proposed regulations for commercial space flight
In April 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration released proposed regulations intended to modernize the rules governing commercial space flight launches and reentries. These regulations were part of broader efforts to support the growing commercial space industry.
May 2019: Media reports on Chao's Vulcan Materials stocks
In May 2019, major news outlets reported that Elaine Chao still held undeclared stock in Vulcan Materials, after her pledge to divest by April 2018, leading to her eventual sale of the stock on June 3, 2019.
May 2019: Gordon Hartogensis appointed as PBGC director
In May 2019, Gordon Hartogensis, the husband of Elaine Chao's sister Grace, was appointed as the director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), part of the U.S. Labor Department. Hartogensis had previously co-founded and led various software companies.
June 3, 2019: Chao sells deferred stock units
On June 3, 2019, Elaine Chao sold her deferred stock units from Vulcan Materials for a gain after media reports revealed she had not divested them by the promised date of April 2018. A subsequent report found no financial conflict of interest.
June 2019: Chao designates special liaison for Kentucky projects
In June 2019, it was reported that in 2017, Elaine Chao had appointed Todd Inman as a special liaison for Transportation Department projects in Kentucky, raising ethical questions about preferential treatment. Investigations found no irregularities in grant decisions.
July 2019: Criticism of FAA proposal at congressional hearing
In July 2019, the president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation criticized the FAA's proposed regulations for commercial space flight at a congressional hearing, arguing that they did not meet their stated objectives. This criticism highlighted challenges in balancing innovation with regulatory oversight in the emerging space industry.
September 2019: House investigation into Chao's business ties
In September 2019, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform began investigating whether Elaine Chao used her political office to benefit her family's business. Allegations arose about a canceled 2017 trip to China due to ethics concerns, but no charges were sustained.
October 2019: Launch of the ROUTES initiative
In October 2019, Elaine Chao launched the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) initiative, aimed at improving transportation infrastructure in rural areas. The program focused on developing tools, aggregating resources, and providing technical assistance to enhance rural transportation networks, addressing unique needs to support national goals of safety, mobility, and competitiveness.
December 2019: FAA proposal for drone identification rule
In December 2019, following reports of unidentified objects flying in formation over rural counties, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed a new rule requiring drones to be remotely identifiable. This proposal was part of ongoing efforts to manage and regulate drone operations in national airspace.
May 2020: Warning to airlines regarding refund policies
In May 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to travel patterns, Elaine Chao issued a stern directive to airlines to adhere to their published ticket refund procedures and Department of Transportation regulations. She emphasized the importance of providing cash refunds when legally required and encouraged broader issuance of refunds to accommodate travelers.
May 2020: Removal of Transportation Department's Inspector General
In May 2020, the Trump administration removed Mitch Behm, the acting Inspector General of the Transportation Department, who was investigating potential favoritism by Elaine Chao towards Kentucky projects. Howard Elliott was appointed as interim Inspector General despite potential conflicts of interest.
December 2020: Referral for criminal investigation into Chao
In December 2020, the Inspector General referred Elaine Chao's case to the Justice Department for potential criminal prosecution due to alleged ethics violations, but the department declined to pursue the case.
December 2020: Inspector General's request for criminal investigation into Chao
In December 2020, the Transportation Department's inspector general asked the Trump administration's Justice Department to consider a criminal investigation into Elaine Chao, citing numerous instances where her office allegedly promoted her family's business. However, the DOJ declined the request.
2020: McConnell's reelection campaign controversy
In 2020, during Mitch McConnell's reelection campaign, opponent Amy McGrath accused him of making millions from China through ties to Elaine Chao's family business. The Washington Post labeled these claims as largely false.
2020: McConnell's re-election and Kentucky grants scrutiny
In 2020, during Mitch McConnell's re-election campaign, scrutiny arose over grants awarded to Kentucky during Elaine Chao's tenure. Despite the controversy, investigations found no evidence of preferential treatment.
January 7, 2021: Resignation announcement after Capitol attack
On January 7, 2021, Elaine Chao announced her resignation as Secretary of Transportation, effective January 11, 2021. She was the highest-ranking member of the Trump administration to resign in response to the January 6 United States Capitol attack, citing the 'traumatic and entirely avoidable' violence as her reason for stepping down.
January 11, 2021: Effective date of resignation
Elaine Chao's resignation as Secretary of Transportation became effective on January 11, 2021. Her departure was a significant response to the events surrounding the Capitol attack, marking the first cabinet resignation in its aftermath.
January 2021: Elaine Chao resigns after Capitol attack
In January 2021, Elaine Chao resigned from her position in protest over the January 6 Capitol attack. Subsequent to her resignation, former President Trump used a racial slur against her, which was condemned by community leaders.
March 4, 2021: Inspector General report on Chao's ethics violations
On March 4, 2021, the Inspector General released a report detailing ethics violations by Elaine Chao, including using department resources for personal errands. The report was referred to the Justice Department, which declined to prosecute.
August 2021: Chao joins Kroger's Board of Directors
In August 2021, Elaine Chao was elected to the board of directors of the Kroger supermarket chain, marking a new chapter in her post-government career. She also joined the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the same year.
2021: Chao speaks against anti-Asian harassment
In 2021, Elaine Chao publicly condemned incidents of anti-Asian harassment, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the Asian community.
2021: Elaine Chao Resigned as United States Secretary of Transportation
In 2021, Elaine Chao resigned as the United States Secretary of Transportation after the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
July 2022: Trump criticized McConnell and attacked Chao
In July 2022, former President Donald Trump criticized Mitch McConnell's leadership on social media and made "overtly racist" attacks against Elaine Chao, including calling her "Coco Chow." This was part of a series of criticisms and attacks directed at Chao during this period.
January 2023: Chao responds to racist attacks
In January 2023, Elaine Chao responded to former President Trump's racist attacks, stating in a Politico interview that people have "deliberately misspelled or mispronounced" her name. She emphasized the efforts of Asian Americans to change such experiences for future generations and criticized Trump for his lack of understanding.
February 2024: Angela Chao's death
In February 2024, Elaine Chao's sister Angela, who was the former CEO of the Foremost Group, tragically passed away in a car accident.