Former Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Labor Department, was confirmed by the Senate with bipartisan support.
The Senate voted 67-32 to confirm DeRemer, 56, to the role. The confirmation of Chavez-DeRemer, who had the support of the Teamsters president but was opposed by some free-market conservatives, could signal a shift in the party toward more of an embrace of organized labor. Three Republicans voted against the appointment: Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Ted Budd (R-NC).
In a statement after Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, drew a contrast to the Labor Department under President Joe Biden.
“With President Trump back in office, we have an opportunity to enact a pro-America agenda at the Department of Labor that puts workers first,” Cassidy said. “Secretary Chavez-DeRemer is committed to this mission and ready to work with the HELP Committee to secure a better future for all workers.”
Notably, some Republicans had been reticent about her being chosen for the Labor Department pick because of her past support for the controversial Protecting the Right to Organize, or PRO, Act. Her nomination was only able to pass out of committee because some Democrats voted for her after Paul voted against her advancing her nomination.
The PRO Act would enact sweeping changes to the employment landscape, including adjusting what kinds of workers can be classified as independent contractors. Uber, for example, might be compelled to treat its drivers as though they were direct employees.
The act would also essentially end right-to-work laws, which have been enacted in 27 states, and stop unions from requiring employees to pay dues or fees.
Notably, during her hearing, Chavez-DeRemer said she no longer supports the aspect of the bill that would end right-to-work laws.
“You no longer support the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned state right-to-work laws?” Paul asked her.
“Yes, sir,” she responded.
In the hearing, she said, “If confirmed, my job will be to implement President Trump’s policy vision, and my guiding principle will be President Trump’s guiding principle: ensuring a level playing field for businesses, unions, and, most importantly, the American worker,” Chavez-DeRemer said.
On the campaign trail, Trump broke with Republicans of elections past and embraced the organized labor movement. He actively courted votes from union members. Sean O’Brien, president of the Teamsters union, broke tradition and addressed the Republican National Convention last year, much to the ire of Democrats.
Notably, O’Brien was reportedly one of the people pushing for Trump to choose Chavez-DeRemer.
The confirmation of Chavez-DeRemer also highlights how the party has moved to be more in line with populism. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who is known for his populist streak, published an op-ed this week lauding Chavez-DeRemer as “the realization of Trump’s pro-worker platform.” He also acknowledged the shift in the Republicans Party that came with Trump’s election.
“Some of my colleagues are balking at President Trump’s choice of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor,” Hawley said. “As her confirmation hangs in the balance, Republicans should resist the temptation to relapse into the destructive division between business and labor that sabotaged American workers for too long.”
“If we care about the working class as we claim to, we must confirm the President’s pick,” he added.
WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD STAMPS ON THE TABLE AS GOP EYES SPENDING CUTS
Chavez will play a key role in shaping the Trump administration’s policies toward organized labor and unions.
Despite some of Trump’s Cabinet department picks being controversial, all of his choices except for one were ultimately approved by Republicans, who hold a majority in the Senate.