Former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Labor Department, began her confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill this week facing scrutiny from both parties.
Why it matters: As Labor Secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would be one of the key implementors of President Trump’s workplace policy agenda – including the dozens of Executive Orders already issued. The former Oregon Republican congresswoman’s prospects remain uncertain given her voting record and vocal support of pro-union policies.
Downplaying union ties and PRO Act support: Chavez-DeRemer dodged pointed questions on her support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act by hedging on specific provisions and emphasizing that her job as Secretary would be to “implement President Trump’s policy vision. My guiding principle will be President Trump’s guiding principles.”
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Chavez-DeRemer professed to be pro-worker, not pro-union and framed her past support for the PRO Act as merely a discussion-starter.
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She also committed to review joint employer regulations, avoid restrictive independent contractor rules, and support secret ballot union elections.
Mixed support: Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) offered tentative support for Chavez-DeRemer after her PRO-Act backpedaling without fully committing to vote “yes” on her nomination.
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Meanwhile, fellow Republican Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who had previously voiced opposition, declined to say whether his vote had changed after the hearing.
Confirmation chances: Potential opposition from Republicans, based on Chavez-DeRemer’s union ties, and from Democrats due to their general opposition to the Trump administration, may complicate her confirmation.
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Given nearly unanimous Republican support for all other Trump nominees and the party’s control over the Senate, however, confirmation is still more likely than not.
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Chavez-DeRemer’s committee vote is scheduled for Thursday, February 27th. If she wins Committee support, a full Senate confirmation vote will follow shortly thereafter.
