Senate Confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer as U.S. Labor Secretary in Bipartisan Vote

The former Oregon congresswoman takes charge of the Department of Labor, navigating union support and partisan divides over key labor policies.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed as U.S. labor secretary in a 67-32 Senate vote, with bipartisan support including 17 Democrats and 3 Republican dissenters.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Republican congresswoman from Oregon, received endorsements from major labor unions like the Teamsters despite her mixed stance on union policies.
Her nomination sparked debate over her past support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which she partially walked back during confirmation hearings, aligning instead with state 'right to work' laws.
As labor secretary, she will oversee a $13.9 billion department responsible for enforcing worker protections, addressing unemployment, and regulating workplace standards.
Critics question her independence in an administration that has faced scrutiny for mass federal layoffs, while supporters highlight her potential to advance pro-worker and pro-family policies.