On Friday, President-elect Donald Trump surprised business-friendly conservatives by selecting Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon as his nominee for Secretary of Labor. Known for her strong support of labor rights, Chavez-DeRemer is one of the few Republicans in Congress to co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a bill that aims to weaken right-to-work laws in nearly 30 states and make it easier for workers to unionize. The bill’s companion in the Senate was introduced by progressive Senator Bernie Sanders.
Trump praised Chavez-DeRemer’s ability to bridge gaps between business and labor groups, stating that her appointment would help unite Americans and contribute to his broader agenda of economic prosperity. He emphasized that her support from both the business and labor communities would help drive his goal of making America wealthier and stronger.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien also applauded the choice, stating that his union was eager to work with Chavez-DeRemer to expand union jobs and rebuild the American middle class. Reflecting on his earlier decision to speak at the Republican National Convention, O’Brien acknowledged Trump’s commitment to labor issues, saying that Trump had taken concrete steps to listen to workers and improve wages and working conditions across the country.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat whose vote may be crucial in confirming Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, praised Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s record. As the original author of the PRO Act, Murray expressed approval of Chavez-DeRemer’s support for the bill, which she co-sponsored alongside Rep. Bobby Scott. Murray indicated she looked forward to carefully reviewing Chavez-DeRemer’s qualifications during the confirmation process.
Chavez-DeRemer, who lost her re-election bid for Oregon’s 5th District earlier this month, was first elected to Congress in 2022. She was part of a historic class of Republican women and became one of the first two Latinas to represent Oregon. Before her time in Congress, she served as the mayor of Happy Valley, a suburb of Portland, and co-founded an anesthesia management company.
The Department of Labor, which oversees worker protection programs, enforces labor standards, and ensures compliance with overtime laws, is expected to pursue a more business-friendly agenda under Trump’s administration. However, Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination has sparked backlash from conservative groups such as Americans for Prosperity (AFP), with Vice President Akash Chougule calling for Senate Republicans to reject the pick. Chougule criticized Trump’s decision, arguing that it undermined his strong record with union voters.
On the other hand, Chavez-DeRemer has garnered support from various unions, particularly those aligned with Democrats. The National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers’ union in the U.S., voiced support for her, citing her votes against efforts to cut education funding and her co-sponsorship of pro-worker and pro-student legislation, including the PRO Act. Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, also praised the nomination, noting Chavez-DeRemer’s record of supporting workers’ rights and collective bargaining.
The Department of Labor under President Joe Biden was initially led by Marty Walsh, a former union leader, and is currently overseen by Julie Su, who has served as acting secretary since 2023. Under Trump’s first term, Alexander Acosta was appointed labor secretary, followed by Eugene Scalia, after Acosta resigned due to controversy surrounding his role in a 2008 plea deal with Jeffrey Epstein.
