President Trump just scored another major win for his administration as former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer received overwhelming bipartisan support to become Labor Secretary. The Republican nominee’s strong backing from both sides of the aisle signals a promising shift in Washington politics.
At a glance:
• Lori Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed as Labor Secretary with a decisive 67-32 bipartisan Senate vote
• She will lead the Department of Labor with nearly 16,000 employees and a proposed $13.9 billion budget
• Several labor unions endorsed Chavez-DeRemer, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
• Some Republicans opposed her nomination due to her past support for pro-union legislation
• Her confirmation completes President Trump’s cabinet, which was assembled more efficiently than former President Biden’s
Trump’s Labor Pick Secures Strong Bipartisan Support
The Senate has officially confirmed Lori Chavez-DeRemer as America’s new Labor Secretary with a robust 67-32 vote that crossed party lines. This strong show of bipartisan support demonstrates President Trump’s ability to select nominees who can appeal to lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
As the former Republican congresswoman from Oregon takes the helm of the Department of Labor, she will oversee nearly 16,000 employees and manage a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. Her responsibilities will include reporting unemployment rates, regulating workplace safety, and investigating labor disputes across the nation.
The Senate confirmation vote Monday for President Donald Trump's labor secretary pick, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is coming along with a reintroduction of the Senate's bipartisan Preventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Act. Read more: https://t.co/tDzkdLTlY1 pic.twitter.com/o4od9sOQHG
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) March 10, 2025
Labor Union Support Despite Some GOP Opposition
Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination received key endorsements from several major labor unions, including the influential International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This union backing helped solidify support among Democrats while also demonstrating her ability to work across traditional political boundaries.
During her confirmation hearings, Chavez-DeRemer pledged her commitment to implementing President Trump’s labor policies with a balanced approach. “My guiding principle will be President Trump’s guiding principle — ensuring a level playing field for businesses, unions and, most importantly, the American worker,” she stated.
Despite gaining substantial Democratic support, some Republicans opposed her nomination, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senators Rand Paul and Ted Budd. These objections stemmed primarily from her past co-sponsorship of the PRO Act, legislation that would strengthen union organizing rights.
Trump Administration Moves Forward with Complete Cabinet
With Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation, President Trump has now completed his cabinet appointments. The Trump administration has moved quickly to fill key positions compared to the previous administration under Joe Biden.
The new Labor Secretary joins other prominent Trump cabinet members including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. During her confirmation process, Chavez-DeRemer voiced support for state “right to work” laws that allow employees to refuse union membership, while also acknowledging the need for balanced labor policies.
When discussing potential minimum wage increases, Chavez-DeRemer expressed caution, noting that dramatic changes could “shock the economy.”
