In her opening statement to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on February 19, Secretary of Labor nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer expressed the need for updating and modernizing federal labor laws to “reflect today’s workforce and business environment,” which she stated is in line with President Donald Trump.
The nomination hearing took place at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday where Lori Chavez-DeRemer addressed her prior support of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would expand various labor protections related to employees’ rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace. The former congresswoman, who lost her reelection bid in November 2024, was one of the 219 co-sponsors of the legislation.
While she acknowledged that the PRO Act has its imperfections, she highlighted its significance in the dialogue surrounding labor reform. Noting her transition from a lawmaker, she expressed her commitment to implementing Trump’s policy vision aimed at creating a balanced environment for businesses, unions, and workers, should she receive confirmation.
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) pressed Lori Chavez-DeRemer about her past support for the PRO Act, specifically asking if she no longer endorsed any provisions related to Right-to-Work laws, which allow workers to choose whether or not to join a labor union at their workplace.
“Yes, sir,” she responded.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer was also challenged by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), who noted the increase the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) saw in child labor law violations. She asked Chavez-DeRemer how she would ensure effective collaboration between the WHD and the Solicitor’s Office to ensure enforcement of these laws.
“I will do everything in my power within the Department of Labor to double down on the safety of all American workers that are exploited–but especially child labor,” Chavez-DeRemer replied.
Other actions the nominee took while in Congress included voting for The Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act in early 2023, which aimed to rescind certain IRS funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
She also joined colleagues in July 2023 to introduce the bipartisan Jobs of the Future Act, which intended to study the effects of artificial intelligence on workers.
Trump announced Chavez-DeRemer as his pick for Labor Secretary in late November 2024.
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