Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the pro-union Republican nominated by President Donald Trump for Labor secretary, appeared before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) to address questions regarding her stance on the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
Chavez-DeRemer, who previously supported the PRO Act as a representative for Oregon’s 5th congressional district, clarified during the hearing that she no longer endorses the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned Right-to-Work laws, a move that could potentially sway some Republican senators who were hesitant about confirming her nomination.
The PRO Act aims to eliminate state-level laws that prohibit employers and unions from mandating workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment. This provision has faced opposition from Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul, who expressed concerns about the Act's impact on Right-to-Work laws.
During the hearing, Sen. Paul questioned Chavez-DeRemer about her change in stance on the PRO Act, to which she confirmed that she no longer supports the provision targeting state Right-to-Work laws.
Chavez-DeRemer emphasized the need to update labor laws to align with the current workforce and business environment, acknowledging the imperfections of the PRO Act and her shift in representation from Oregon to a broader national agenda as Labor secretary.
Sen. Bernie Sanders raised concerns about Chavez-DeRemer's commitment to pro-union values in the face of potential pressures from the current administration. However, Chavez-DeRemer reiterated her dedication to supporting American workers and fostering collaboration between businesses, workers, and unions.
In her opening statement, Chavez-DeRemer expressed gratitude to President Trump for his efforts in uniting a diverse coalition of working-class Americans and outlined her vision for investing in trade schools to enhance educational opportunities beyond traditional degrees.
Trump, in his nomination of Chavez-DeRemer, highlighted her track record of working with both Business and Labor to strengthen the American workforce and pledged to work together to advance opportunities for American workers.
Chavez-DeRemer's nomination for U.S. secretary of Labor comes as a testament to her dedication to supporting American workers and fostering cooperation between various stakeholders in the labor sector.
