On February 21, 2025, it was reported that former United States Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer, nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor, has come under scrutiny for her stance on labor issues. Chavez-DeRemer, who previously supported pro-union legislation during her time in the House, presented a shift in position during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Chavez-DeRemer, an Oregon Republican, was one of the few in her party to endorse union-friendly measures like the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. Despite initial optimism regarding her appointment, evidenced by support from Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, Chavez-DeRemer’s commitment to union advocacy was questioned during the proceedings. Her statements during the hearing, including distancing herself from the PRO Act by labeling it “imperfect” and aligning closely with President Trump’s policy agenda, raised concerns.
Senator Rand Paul inquired about her views on “right-to-work” laws, which historically weakened organized labor, especially in the southern states. Chavez-DeRemer confirmed her support for states maintaining these laws, reversing her previous backing of the PRO Act, which aimed to nullify such state laws.
Chavez-DeRemer’s stance diverged from historic Republican figures who favored labor-friendly policies. While past Republicans like Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon supported labor interests, and even Ronald Reagan opposed national right-to-work laws during his presidential run, Chavez-DeRemer’s recent testimony indicated an alliance with more contemporary Republican approaches that prioritize corporate interests.
Her refusal to endorse minimum wage increases and paid worker leave also highlighted her departure from supporting unionized labor, aligning instead with the administration’s priorities. When questioned by Senator Bernie Sanders, she indicated deference to President Trump’s executive decisions, such as the removal of a National Labor Relations Board member, even if perceived as undermining labor rights.
Rebecca Dixon of the National Employment Law Project had expressed earlier skepticism, suggesting Chavez-DeRemer’s real test would be reconciling her commitment to workers’ rights with Trump’s administration’s agenda, perceived as contrary to those principles.
Throughout the hearing, Chavez-DeRemer did not commit to protecting existing labor rights against presidential influence or the potential misuse of department resources, emphasizing her alignment with President Trump’s directives over labor concerns, marking a decisive narrative of her priorities should she be confirmed as Secretary of Labor.
