US Lawmaker with Bipartisan Voting Record Picked to Lead Labor Dept,

Donald Trump has chosen former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Oregon) to steer the U.S. Labor Dept. She was a cosponsor and one among 5 Republicans to vote for organized labor’s prime legislative precedence, the Defending the Proper to Set up (PRO) Act. It handed the Home of Representatives in 2021 by a largely party-line, 225-206 vote. 

Chavez-DeRemer additionally was one among eight Republicans to cosponsor the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, an effort to unionize extra of the federal workforce. She misplaced her seat to state consultant Janelle Bynum (D) in November. In a Nov. 22 social media posting, Trump described her as somebody who “labored with each enterprise and labor to construct America’s workforce.” Like all nominations for cupboard posts, she’s going to want Senate affirmation. 

It has been extensively reported that Sean O’Brien, normal president of the United Brotherhood of Teamsters, pushed for her nomination, angering conservatives like Grover Norquist, president of Individuals for Tax Reform. His group characterised the refusal of Teamsters’ management to endorse Trump as a “betrayal” as a result of many union members supported him. O’Brien spoke on the Republican Nationwide Conference in July and met with the GOP nominee on two events earlier this yr.

Shortly after Chavez-DeRemer was named because the nominee, O’Brien issued a social media publish saying the Teamsters would work together with her “each step of the best way to develop good union jobs and rebuild or nation’s center class.”

Different labor unions have been extra skeptical. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler famous DeRemer’s pro-labor file in Congress, however she questioned how a lot the nominee would accomplish for staff in an administration with a number of already named cupboard members having ties to Venture 2025, a 900-page conservative plan to, amongst different issues, weaken security, well being and labor insurance policies. 

“The AFL-CIO will work with anybody who desires to do proper by staff, however we’ll reject and defeat any try and roll again the rights and protections that working individuals have gained with a long time of blood, sweat, and tears,” Shuler stated. “You possibly can stand with working individuals, or you’ll be able to stand with Venture 2025, however you’ll be able to’t stand with each.”  

Different Responses

Home GOP Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) praised the nomination, posting on social media that “Lori can be a fierce advocate for our nation’s unbelievable workforce as she executes” the incoming administration agenda. 

Mark Takano (D-Calif.) additionally praised the nomination. “I served together with her on the Home Committee on Schooling and the Workforce and her help of the Defending the Proper to Set up Act is indicative of her willingness to face with working women and men,” he stated in a press release.   

 However the Related Builders and Contractors, one of many few building commerce teams to endorse Trump, raised the nominee’s help for pro-union coverage as a priority. “We’re eager about understanding Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s views on
the Defending the Proper to Set up Act and different points … as she embarks on her affirmation course of,” Kristin Swearingen, vice chairman of legislative and political affairs, stated.