Salem, OR – Former Oregon Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer cleared a significant hurdle on Thursday morning in her pursuit of becoming the next U.S. Secretary of Labor. With the backing of three Democratic senators, she gained approval from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which advanced her nomination despite opposition from some Republican members.
Chavez-DeRemer, who represented Oregon’s 5th Congressional District for a single term, earned votes from Democratic Senators Tim Kaine (Virginia), John Hickenlooper (Colorado), and Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire), in addition to 10 of the 12 Republican committee members. This bipartisan support gave her the necessary votes to move forward, even as one Republican senator was absent and another, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted against her.
A former mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, and a former businesswoman, Chavez-DeRemer has cultivated a reputation within Republican circles as a candidate with unique connections to labor unions. Her father was a Teamster, and the union’s leadership had actively lobbied for her nomination. During her congressional career, Chavez-DeRemer earned recognition from both unions and businesses, a factor highlighted by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), chair of the HELP Committee.
“Representative Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination has the support of unions and businesses,” Cassidy said. “If confirmed, she has the opportunity to bring these two groups together to secure a better future for all. That is what she brings to the table and that is why President Trump nominated her.”
However, Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation bid has not been without controversy. While she co-sponsored the PRO Act, a major piece of pro-labor legislation, during her reelection campaign, she distanced herself from the bill during her nomination hearing. Chavez-DeRemer referred to the PRO Act as “imperfect” and reiterated her support for state right-to-work laws, which prohibit unions from charging non-members fees for the benefits they receive from union representation. These laws, which are already in place in more than half of U.S. states, do not apply in Oregon.
This shift in stance was not enough to win over Senator Rand Paul, who was one of the most vocal critics of her nomination. Paul, who has expressed concerns over Chavez-DeRemer’s past support for the PRO Act, voted against advancing her nomination. His opposition marks the only formal Republican resistance to her candidacy, though others may join him when the full Senate votes.
On the Democratic side, Oregon’s Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have both announced they will oppose Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination. Wyden, a supporter of the PRO Act, criticized Chavez-DeRemer for her “bizarre disavowal” of the labor legislation, while Merkley has stated he plans to vote against all of President Trump’s cabinet nominees in protest of the administration’s approach to federal agencies.
The nomination has also drawn the attention of independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who, as the ranking member of the HELP Committee, alluded to concerns over corporate influence in government. “The next secretary of labor, the next secretary of education, the next secretary of housing, the next secretary of the treasury, is Elon Musk,” Sanders remarked, hinting at broader issues he believes affect the integrity of federal appointments.
If confirmed by the full Senate, Chavez-DeRemer would become Oregon’s first cabinet member in decades. The last Oregonian to hold a cabinet position was Don Hodel, who served as Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Interior under President Ronald Reagan. Additionally, former Portland Mayor Neil Goldschmidt held the position of Secretary of Transportation under President Jimmy Carter before becoming Oregon’s governor.
The Department of Labor, which oversees a budget of $13.9 billion and employs nearly 16,000 people, would fall under Chavez-DeRemer’s leadership if confirmed. Her management experience, having co-run an anesthesia management company, and her tenure as mayor, may be critical assets as she navigates the challenges of leading a large and diverse department.
Despite the ongoing opposition, Chavez-DeRemer’s prospects for confirmation remain uncertain. The outcome hinges on continued support from both sides of the aisle and the resolution of key concerns surrounding her positions on labor rights and abortion policy. As the full Senate prepares to vote, all eyes will be on whether she can garner enough backing to secure her place in the Trump administration.
