President Trump’s decision to nominate a new labor secretary faced significant scrutiny during a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, as members from both political parties questioned her past endorsement of pro-union legislation, which could pose challenges to her confirmation.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who previously served as a Republican congresswoman, found herself in the hot seat primarily over her support of the PRO Act, a comprehensive labor bill aimed at bolstering collective bargaining rights. Chavez-DeRemer was one of the few Republicans who had co-sponsored this legislation, a major priority for the Democrats that’s yet to pass.
When asked if she still stood by the bill, Chavez-DeRemer sidestepped a direct answer, noting her absence from Congress and her commitment to aligning with President Trump’s policies.
“I do not believe that the secretary of labor should write the laws,” Chavez-DeRemer conveyed to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which conducted the hearing. “It will be up to the Congress.”
However, in addressing questions from Rand Paul of Kentucky, one of several Republican senators opposed to her confirmation, Chavez-DeRemer expressed that she no longer supported specific elements of the bill that, according to Paul, compromised “right to work” states, which present significant legal and political hurdles for unionization efforts.
Her nomination brought an unusual atmosphere to the committee room, filling it with Teamsters union members easily identifiable by their branded clothing. During her opening remarks, Chavez-DeRemer highlighted her personal ties to the union, stating, “My journey is rooted in the values instilled by my father, a proud Teamster who worked tirelessly for over 30 years.”
Sean O’Brien, the union’s president, had taken the stage at the Republican National Convention the previous summer, and the Teamsters had opted not to endorse any presidential candidate — a move that many viewed as a strategic win for Trump. In November, O’Brien had suggested Chavez-DeRemer for the labor role to Trump.
A former mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, Chavez-DeRemer served one term in the House before narrowly losing to a Democratic rival in November. Besides co-sponsoring the PRO Act, she also supported the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, designed to ensure collective bargaining rights for public employees nationwide.
Trump’s decision to select her was perceived as a tribute to O’Brien. In fact, The Wall Street Journal labeled it a “quid pro quo” in an editorial critique.
Her nomination has thrown a spotlight on the fissures within the Republican Party. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana remarked back in November that he needed more clarity on her past support for Democratic legislation that could potentially threaten Louisiana’s status as a right-to-work state. By Wednesday, he seemed relatively reassured by Chavez-DeRemer’s clarifications regarding the PRO Act.
There are other Republican senators, like Josh Hawley of Missouri, who are wooing labor unions. Hawley, for instance, has championed strengthening and endorsing unions as part of his “pro-labor conservatism.” During Wednesday’s hearing, he praised Chavez-DeRemer’s track record, calling it “really outstanding.”
Rand Paul, however, warned that the nominee could lose at least a dozen Republican votes on the Senate floor. Should that be the case post-hearing, Chavez-DeRemer might need Democratic support to secure her position.
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent and the committee’s ranking minority member, was cautiously open to the nominee, complimenting her “very good” record, while he and fellow Democrats on the committee voiced concerns about whether she would enforce federal labor laws or simply serve as a “rubber stamp” for Trump’s administration.
The hearing also served as a forum to scrutinize Trump’s recent executive actions, such as downsizing the federal workforce and empowering Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency team within the Labor Department and other areas. Democrats sought reassurances that Chavez-DeRemer would honor appropriations laws and safeguard sensitive departmental data.
“I do not believe the president is going to ask me to violate the law,” Chavez-DeRemer said.
At inquiries concerning her stance on raising the federal minimum wage, she echoed that Congress should be the decisive body.
Several Republicans probed her on strategies to curb child labor exploitation by companies, while others, like Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, raised issues regarding visa shortages affecting seasonal industries in her state.
Sanders appeared less than satisfied with Chavez-DeRemer’s comments on the PRO Act. She labeled it as an “imperfect” bill, affirming her current focus on fulfilling Trump’s agenda. “I support the American worker,” she asserted.
“I don’t mean to be rude,” Sanders interjected, “I am gathering you no longer support the PRO Act.”
