In addition to other nominations announced recently, President-elect Donald Trump has announced Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his nominee to lead the Department of Labor under his administration. Having recently lost her re-election bid for her seat as the Republican Congresswoman representing Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, Chavez-DeRemer is a non-traditional choice because of her previous support for unions and workers, rather than business interests.
Although Chavez-DeRemer has first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing small businesses, having founded an anesthesia management company with her husband, Chavez-DeRemer not only supported but was one of only three Republicans to co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. The PRO Act, if enacted, would have greatly expanded workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain. Chavez-DeRemer also co-sponsored the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which would have allowed all public sector employees nationwide to unionize, even if the employees worked in states with laws prohibiting unionization. Neither of these bills have made it out of Congress or been signed into law. Due to her pro-labor tendencies, many local unions supported Chavez-DeRemer’s re-election bid in 2024, and Chavez-DeRemer has received public support by the Teamsters’ President Sean O’Brien upon her nomination last week.
As a result of her pro-union voting record, Chavez-DeRemer may gather more Democratic support and less Republican support than usual for a Republican nominee. Additionally, as a non-traditional nominee, if confirmed, Chavez-DeRemer may bring a more moderate approach to the Department of Labor than we have seen in any recent administration, regardless of the party.
Please consult with any member of Frantz Ward’s Labor & Employment Practice Group with questions regarding how Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation to lead the DOL may impact your business.
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