Trump’s nominee for Labor secretary walks back support for PRO Act, embraces Republican Right-to-Work laws

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the pro-union Republican nominated by President Donald Trump for Labor secretary, faced a grilling from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on Wednesday. One of the key topics of discussion was her previous support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.

Chavez-DeRemer, who previously represented Oregon’s 5th congressional district, initially supported the PRO Act, which aimed to eliminate state-level Right-to-Work laws. However, during the hearing, she stated that she no longer supports this aspect of the bill. This shift in stance may have won over some Republican senators who were hesitant to confirm her nomination, including Sen. Rand Paul, who had expressed his opposition to the PRO Act.

In response to questions from senators, Chavez-DeRemer emphasized that her support for the PRO Act was based on her role as a congresswoman representing Oregon. She made it clear that as Labor secretary, she would prioritize supporting states that choose to maintain their Right-to-Work laws.

During the hearing, Sen. Bernie Sanders questioned Chavez-DeRemer about her commitment to pro-union values in the face of pressure from powerful anti-union figures. Chavez-DeRemer assured Sanders that she would stand with working families and prioritize their interests.

In her opening statement, Chavez-DeRemer thanked President Trump for his efforts to unite a new coalition of working-class Americans. She highlighted the need for investments in trade schools and educational pathways beyond traditional four-year degrees to strengthen the American workforce.

Chavez-DeRemer pledged to level the playing field for American businesses, workers, and unions, emphasizing her commitment to putting American workers first. She expressed her belief that under Trump’s leadership, real solutions could be delivered to support working Americans.

Less than three weeks after his election, Trump nominated Chavez-DeRemer for U.S. secretary of Labor, praising her work with both business and labor to support American workers. He expressed his confidence in her ability to create opportunities for American workers, expand training programs, increase wages, and improve working conditions.

Overall, Chavez-DeRemer’s testimony before the Senate HELP committee highlighted her willingness to adapt her positions and prioritize the interests of American workers. If confirmed as Labor secretary, she has committed to working towards a more equitable and prosperous future for all working Americans.