Former Oregon congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer secures her position as Labor Secretary with rare bipartisan support, despite opposition from some Republicans concerned about her stance on union rights.
Key Insights
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed as Labor Secretary with significant bipartisan support in a 67-32 Senate vote.
- Her confirmation faced opposition from some Republicans, including Senators Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, and Ted Budd, while gaining substantial Democratic backing.
- As Labor Secretary, she will lead a department with nearly 16,000 employees and a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025.
- Chavez-DeRemer received endorsements from several labor unions, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, despite Republican concerns about her pro-labor positions.
- Her confirmation completes President Trump’s cabinet, filled more quickly than former President Biden’s administration.
Bipartisan Confirmation Sets New Tone
The U.S. Senate confirmed Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary on Monday with a strong bipartisan vote of 67-32, marking a rare moment of political unity in today’s divided Washington. Chavez-DeRemer, a former Republican congresswoman from Oregon, secured support from both sides of the aisle despite concerns from some conservatives about her labor positions. The confirmation makes her responsible for overseeing the Department of Labor, which enforces worker protections, reports unemployment rates, regulates workplace safety, and investigates labor disputes across the nation.
Her confirmation faced scrutiny during the process, particularly from Republican senators who questioned her previous support for pro-union legislation. Despite this opposition, Chavez-DeRemer managed to win over enough senators from both parties to secure her position. The Department of Labor, which she now leads, employs nearly 16,000 workers and operates with a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025, giving her significant influence over America’s labor policies and workplace regulations.
The Senate confirmation vote Monday for President Donald Trump's labor secretary pick, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is coming along with a reintroduction of the Senate's bipartisan Preventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Act. Read more: https://t.co/tDzkdLTlY1 pic.twitter.com/o4od9sOQHG
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) March 10, 2025
Navigating Labor Policy Controversies
During her confirmation hearings, Chavez-DeRemer attempted to appeal to both parties while addressing concerns about her stance on key labor issues. She faced particular scrutiny for co-sponsoring the PRO Act, which supports union organizing rights, while also expressing support for state “right to work” laws that allow employees to refuse union membership. This balancing act drew criticism from Republican senators like McConnell, Paul, and Budd, who ultimately voted against her confirmation, while simultaneously helping her secure Democratic support.
“If confirmed, my job will be to implement President Trump’s policy vision. And my guiding principle will be President Trump’s guiding principal — ensuring a level playing field for businesses, unions and, most importantly, the American worker.” – Lori Chavez-DeRemer
On the minimum wage issue, Chavez-DeRemer took a cautious approach, suggesting that raising the federal minimum wage too quickly could “shock the economy.” She also co-sponsored legislation aimed at protecting public-sector workers’ Social Security benefits, though the bill ultimately stalled due to lack of support. Her confirmation by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions passed with a 14-9 vote before moving to the full Senate for final approval.
You can still help! The U.S. Senate just voted to advance @LChavezDeRemer's nomination to a final vote with strong bipartisan support. Please ask your Senators to CONFIRM Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Secretary of Labor: https://t.co/LbMoqwhiOM pic.twitter.com/rnvMRp4qCc
— The ESOP Association (@ESOPAssociation) March 6, 2025
Completing the Cabinet
Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation completes President Trump’s cabinet, which includes high-profile appointments such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The Trump administration has moved quickly to fill key positions, outpacing the previous administration’s timeline for cabinet confirmations. While her confirmation generated debate within Republican circles, the labor unions’ support for Chavez-DeRemer, including the endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, helped secure the necessary votes for confirmation.
Critics within conservative media have expressed concerns about Chavez-DeRemer potentially disrupting right-to-work coalitions, with RedState’s Jennifer O’Connell describing the nominee as “imperfect.” Despite these reservations, Chavez-DeRemer’s ability to gain substantial bipartisan support demonstrates her effectiveness in bridging political divides. She now faces the challenge of implementing President Trump’s labor policies while managing the expectations of both her Republican supporters and Democratic allies who helped secure her confirmation.
Sources:
- Senate confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Trump’s labor secretary
- BREAKING: Senate Decides on Trump’s Controversial Pick for Labor Secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer
