In a surprising turn during her Senate confirmation hearing on February 19, Former Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced she is stepping back from her previous support of the PRO Act, a key piece of labor legislation.
Chavez-DeRemer, who served Oregon’s 5th district from 2023 to 2025, was notably one of three Republican House members to back the PRO Act. This bill aims to simplify the process for workers to unionize while imposing significant penalties on businesses that attempt to hinder such efforts.
The former representative’s endorsement of the PRO Act has been a contentious issue, particularly among Republican senators who largely oppose it. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), a member of the labor committee, expressed his likely opposition to Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination, indicating that her confirmation would require Democratic support.
When questioned by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) about her current stance on the PRO Act, Chavez-DeRemer clarified that her initial support was driven by political strategy rather than personal conviction, and she would refrain from advocating for it as Labor Secretary.
“I do not believe that the Secretary of Labor should write the laws,” Chavez-DeRemer stated. “It will be up to Congress to write the laws and work together … But I was working for Oregon’s 5th congressional district and representing that. I just wanted to be at that table. I never want to be left out of a conversation where we can talk about the American worker and how important that is.”
She further described the PRO Act as “imperfect.”
Later, when Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) mentioned his belief that Chavez-DeRemer no longer supports the PRO Act, she did not challenge his assessment.
Chavez-DeRemer had attempted to secure reelection in 2024 but was defeated by Democrat Janelle Bynum. Subsequently, President Donald Trump nominated her for the role of Labor Secretary on November 22.
The nomination was met with approval from some labor organizations, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which applauded the decision as a pro-union move, contrasting with other Trump administration appointments known for anti-labor positions.
For instance, Attorney General Pam Bondi has been a proponent of Florida’s right-to-work laws, which are criticized for weakening union influence and potentially leading to poorer labor conditions.
Vice President J.D. Vance holds a 0% approval rating from the AFL-CIO, reflecting his lack of pro-worker votes since joining the Senate in 2023.
While Chavez-DeRemer received support from certain labor groups like the Teamsters and the Association of Flight Attendants during her reelection campaign, others, including AFSME, AFL-CIO, SIEU, and the United Auto Workers, endorsed her opponent, Bynum.
The White House has not yet provided any comments regarding Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination.
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