Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) has been selected by President-elect Trump to serve as Secretary of Labor during his upcoming term. The one-term congresswoman, who has garnered massive union support, is expected to face Senate confirmation when the Republican-controlled Congress convenes in January.
The announcement marks one of Trump’s final cabinet selections, highlighting Chavez-DeRemer’s efforts to bridge gaps between business and labor in advancing workforce development. Trump praised her commitment to expanding job opportunities, improving working conditions, and revitalizing American manufacturing.
Trump praises Chavez-DeRemer’s bipartisan efforts as she faces Senate confirmation in January
The Oregon Republican has previously received endorsements from unions like the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with its president, Sean O’Brien, commending her advocacy for apprenticeship programs and labor negotiations.
In her brief tenure representing Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, Chavez-DeRemer focused on bipartisan initiatives. She supported legislation to address fentanyl trafficking, protect first responders, and reform federal cannabis laws. However, she narrowly lost reelection to Democrat Janelle Bynum in one of the most competitive races of the cycle.
A staunch advocate for organized labor, Chavez-DeRemer co-sponsored the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, aiming to strengthen penalties for labor law violations and facilitate unionization.
She also backed measures to empower public-sector unions and safeguard Social Security benefits for public workers. These efforts have earned praise from union leaders like AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, who acknowledged her pro-labor record while expressing concern over Trump’s broader anti-union policies.
Chavez-DeRemer’s municipal career includes serving as Happy Valley mayor for two terms after her initial election to the city council in the early 2000s. She later became the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the U.S. House, achieving this milestone in 2022.
While her nomination has drawn praise from unions, it has also faced criticism from conservatives and Democrats, with some questioning her alignment with Trump’s broader labor agenda.
