President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary, former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., faces a challenging confirmation process in the Senate. Her pro-union stances have raised questions among Republicans, while garnering interest from pro-labor Democrats.
Chavez-DeRemer’s support for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) is a contentious issue. The PRO Act aims to eliminate state laws that allow workers to opt out of union dues as a condition of employment. Most Republicans and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce oppose the legislation, but some pro-labor Democrats see Chavez-DeRemer’s endorsement as a potential asset.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has already stated his opposition to Chavez-DeRemer. “Her support for the PRO Act, which preempts state law on right to work, is a big issue for me.
Chavez-DeRemer faces Senate scrutiny
I think it’s not a good thing, and I can’t support her,” Paul told reporters. Given Paul’s opposition, Chavez-DeRemer will likely need support from Democratic senators to advance out of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) favorably. Sen.
Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., a Trump ally, said some Democrats have indicated they might support her. Mullin, who was involved in Chavez-DeRemer’s selection alongside Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, highlighted her appeal among labor unions. However, Paul predicted that more than a dozen Republicans might defect from supporting her, while suggesting she could gain as many as 25 Democratic votes.
If the committee vote results in a tie, Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination could still proceed to a full Senate vote but without a favorable recommendation. In the Senate, she would need 60 votes to be confirmed. The nomination of Chavez-DeRemer represents a potential shift in the Republican Party’s stance on labor issues as blue-collar union members become a more integral part of the party’s political coalition.
However, not all Republicans see confirming Chavez-DeRemer as the pathway to keeping working-class voters in the tent. The confirmation process will be closely watched as it unfolds, with Chavez-DeRemer’s testimony before the HELP committee on Wednesday being a crucial moment in determining her fate as the potential next labor secretary.
