Staff ReportsOregon Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer, recently defeated in her reelection bid, has now been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the Secretary of Labor position. Despite the questionable nature of her candidacy, particularly given the scrutiny faced by her fellow nominees, she appears to be hurtling forward without the necessary transparency or accountability. Her nomination seems to hinge on the endorsements of union interests seeking to create an air of inevitability surrounding her confirmation, conveniently ignoring the significant conflicts of interest that accompany her appointment.
Chavez-DeRemer made headlines by attending an event at the New York Stock Exchange alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance and other cabinet nominees while Trump celebrated by ringing the opening bell. But rather than simply celebrating her victory, it’s essential to dissect the implications of her nomination. The union bosses, eager for a puppet in the Department of Labor, benefit from her alignment. Until the Senate weighs in, however, the 64 million independent professionals and small business owners remain uneasy about her potential confirmation and are demanding that Trump reconsider this choice.
I enjoyed being at the @NYSE this morning with @realDonaldTrump and many of my fellow cabinet nominees — under President Trump's leadership, we will Make Our Economy Great Again! 🇺🇲 pic.twitter.com/6k5evLtolQ
— Lori Chavez-DeRemer (@LChavezDeRemer) December 12, 2024
In stark contrast to Biden’s failed Labor Secretary nominee Julie Su, Chavez-DeRemer’s record in office raises flags about her commitment to anything other than the union agenda. Her sponsorship of the PRO Act threatens to undermine right-to-work laws across 27 states, which would fundamentally alter the landscape for independent contractors. Once viewed as an advocate for small businesses, Chavez-DeRemer has quickly pivoted to align with the very unions that seek to curtail the freedoms of independent workers. This shift has left many wondering if she is merely the latest iteration of a pro-labor Democrat in Republican clothing—another unwelcome face in a long line of bureaucrats seeking to impose union control over the workforce.
Signaling her unshakeable determination to proceed, Chavez-DeRemer has been busy conducting interviews for top-level staff at Mar-a-Lago, a mere three weeks after her nomination. In her first Senate meeting with Senator Markwayne Mullin, Chavez-DeRemer will likely face pointed questions about her swift departure from her “small business champion” narrative to one that appears wholly subservient to organized labor. The Senate HELP Committee, newly led by Chairman Bill Cassidy, will have to think long and hard about whether her nomination reflects the interests of hardworking Americans or simply rehashes the old union playbook.
While some media outlets may gloss over her troubling past, diligent scrutiny reveals Chavez-DeRemer as someone who has swiftly abandoned her purported principles. The fine print of her record shows a consistent pattern of aligning with labor interests while sidestepping issues vital to independent professionals. Her connection to Anesthesia Associates Northwest—a business that contracts independent medical professionals—renders her support for the PRO Act not just hypocritical but a direct threat to the livelihoods of countless workers in her former constituency. She talks the talk about small businesses but walks the line of labor unions, a disconnect that will surely come under fire in hearings.
The road ahead is fraught with concerns that Chavez-DeRemer has become a convenient tool for union leaders looking to expand their influence. Her past endorsements and enthusiastic support of pro-union legislation indicate a troubling commitment to policies that ignore workers’ demands for autonomy, flexibility, and independence. At a time when the working class seeks greater control over their own economic destinies, the nomination of a labor secretary seemingly intent on bolstering unions only deepens the chasm between traditional Republican values and the present political reality. The Trump administration must reconsider this appointment carefully; the stakes are too high, and the voices of independent workers deserve to be heard loud and clear.
