Former Oregon GOP Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer faced some pointed questioning during her Wednesday Senate confirmation hearings for Secretary of Labor.
She had faced pushback from some Republicans who argued that she was too biased in favor of unions:
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who sits on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, has said he will oppose her because of her previous support for pro-labor policies. Chavez-DeRemer was one of only three Republicans who supported the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or PRO Act, in the last Congress. The bill would have strengthened labor protections for workers to collectively bargain and expanded penalties for employers that violate workers’ rights.
But Chavez-DeRemer said she would follow the president’s lead:
Chavez-DeRemer addressed her support for the bill in her opening statement, saying she recognized the legislation was “imperfect” and would implement President Trump’s labor policies if confirmed as secretary.
“If confirmed, my job will be to implement President Trump’s policy vision. And my guiding principle will be President Trump’s guiding principal — ensuring a level playing field for businesses, unions and, most importantly, the American worker,” she said.
LORI CHAVEZ-DEREMER: I know there has been a lot of conversation about my support of the PRO Act… I recognize that that bill was imperfect. If confirmed, my job will be to implement President Trump’s policy vision. pic.twitter.com/wZ2ckHZ2hP
— Rowan Saydlowski (@rsaydlowski) February 19, 2025
She appeared to soften her support of the controversial PRO Act, as reported by our friends at Townhall:
Paul, who planned to oppose her confirmation within the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, reminded her that the Democrat-backed legislation, which she supported as a member of Congress, would overturn right-to-work laws in about half the country. He wanted to know where she stood now.
“I signed on to the PRO Act because I was representing Oregon’s 5th [Congressional] District, but I also signed onto the PRO Act because I wanted to be at that table and have those conversations, but I fully and fairly support states who want to protect their right to work,” she said.
The bill, which only passed the House, would have allowed “more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights,” according to the Associated Press. “The act would also weaken ‘right-to-work’ laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment.”
“So you no longer support the aspects of the PRO Act that would’ve overturned state right-to-work laws,” Paul followed up. “That’s a yes?”
“Yes, yes sir,” she replied.
Labor Nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer backtracks on the PRO Act.
RAND PAUL: Do you still support the PRO Act?
CHAVEZ-DEREMER : I fully, fairly support states who want to protect their right to work.
PAUL: So you no longer support the aspect of the PRO Act that would’ve overturn… pic.twitter.com/FdoPzSerZf
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 19, 2025
In January, Paul had explained why he might be a no-vote:
“I’m the national spokesman and lead author of the right-to-work bill. Her support for the PRO Act, which would not only oppose national right-to-work but would preempt state law on right-to-work — I think it’s not a good thing,” Paul told NBC News last month. “And it’d be sort of hard for me, since it’s a big issue for me, to support her.”
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley has a different viewpoint, however, and appeared to be all in:
🚨 Sen. Josh Hawley FIRED UP Over Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Says He Will ‘Absolutey’ Vote Yes
“She’s the PRESIDENT’S choice to lead the Labor Department, and you can see why….” pic.twitter.com/Rb9momlKeE
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 19, 2025
RedState’s Jennifer Oliver O’Connell has written extensively about the Labor Secretary nominee and has concerns:
OPINION: Labor Secretary Nominee Chavez-DeRemer Is a Trojan Horse to Complete the Union Takeover of DOL
Secy of Labor Nom Lori Chavez-DeRemer Courted Union Support While Pretending to Champion Small Business
O’Connell argues that Chavez is a threat to independent professionals:
Chavez-DeRemer has proven that she is not on the side of independent professionals or workers; she is on the side of union bosses and herself. Chavez-DeRemer is simply another union activist trussed up and planted to take control of the levers of power in order to destroy the independent contractor model and economic freedom for all Americans.
Paul did say after the hearing, however, that he would consider her latest answers before the final vote:
Rand Paul UNSURE on Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary
REPORTER: “Would that switch your vote potentially?”
SEN. PAUL: “I’m going to think about her answers….” pic.twitter.com/G39dsWe56w
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 19, 2025
A final vote from the full Senate is expected in the coming days. This promises to be an interesting one.
