Lori Chavez-DeRemer/ Trump Labor Secretary pick/ pro-labor Republican/ Department of Labor nomination/ labor policies 2024/ WASHINGTON/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor. Known for her pro-labor stance during her brief congressional term, Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination sparks optimism among union leaders, though concerns linger about Trump’s broader labor policies. If confirmed, she will bring diversity to a Cabinet expected to have significant economic influence.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican senate candidate for Oregon, in Happy Valley, Oregon, on Friday, September 23, 2022.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Quick Looks
- Labor Secretary Nominee: Trump names Chavez-DeRemer, a one-term Republican congresswoman, for the role.
- Pro-Labor Record: Backed the PRO Act and fought to protect workers’ Social Security benefits.
- Union Skepticism: Labor leaders welcome her nomination but question Trump’s overall labor agenda.
- Department Role: Likely focus on workplace safety, labor statistics, and overtime rules.
- Diversity in Leadership: Chavez-DeRemer would be the second Latino in Trump’s new Cabinet.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Trump’s Pro-Labor Nominee for Labor Dept.
Deep Look
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday his selection of Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican congresswoman from Oregon, as his nominee for Secretary of Labor. Despite losing her reelection bid earlier this month, Chavez-DeRemer’s strong track record on pro-labor policies has earned her support from unions within her district and optimism from labor leaders nationwide.
If confirmed, Chavez-DeRemer will take over an agency pivotal to Trump’s promised focus on the working class, though the tension between her labor-friendly stance and Trump’s corporate-leaning policies could define her tenure.
A Pro-Labor Republican
Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination stands out in Republican circles for her demonstrated commitment to workers’ rights. During her brief term in Congress, she backed the PRO Act, which sought to make unionizing easier. She also co-sponsored legislation to protect public-sector workers from having their Social Security benefits reduced due to pensions.
These moves align her with policies typically championed by Democrats, creating a unique dynamic for her potential leadership of the Labor Department under a Trump administration known for favoring employers.
Union Leaders Remain Cautious
While labor groups have praised Chavez-DeRemer’s congressional record, they remain wary of Trump’s broader labor policies. The president-elect, who built his political brand on appealing to working-class voters, has often clashed with unions.
During his first term, Trump appointed business-friendly figures to the National Labor Relations Board, rolled back union protections, and scaled back expansions to overtime rules. Labor leaders also cite concerns over Trump’s potential embrace of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which advocates reducing workplace safety enforcement and tilting power toward employers.
Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, acknowledged Chavez-DeRemer’s pro-labor credentials but added, “It remains to be seen what she will be permitted to do as Secretary of Labor in an administration with a dramatically anti-worker agenda.”
Challenges Ahead for Chavez-DeRemer
The Department of Labor, often operating outside the spotlight, could play a larger role under Trump’s second administration. With Trump questioning government labor statistics during his campaign, Chavez-DeRemer may face pressure to navigate the balance between the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ nonpartisan work and Trump’s politicized rhetoric.
Key areas of focus will likely include:
- Overtime Regulations: Revisiting eligibility rules, which have historically been contentious under both Trump and Biden administrations.
- Workplace Safety: Potential conflicts between Project 2025 goals and worker protection policies.
- Immigrant Labor: Managing the labor implications of Trump’s proposed large-scale deportation efforts, which could impact sectors reliant on immigrant workers.
Adding Diversity to Trump’s Cabinet
Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination adds diversity to Trump’s leadership team. A trailblazer in Oregon politics, she was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from the state. If confirmed, she will join Marco Rubio, Trump’s Secretary of State-designate, as the second Latino in the incoming Cabinet.
Her nomination also continues a pattern for the Department of Labor under Trump, as his first labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, was also Latino.
