Chavez-DeRemer Shifts Stance on PRO Act Amid Labor Secretary Nomination
During a Senate confirmation hearing on February 19, former Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer clarified her current position on the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, signaling a departure from her previous support for the legislation.
Chavez-DeRemer, who served Oregon’s 5th district from 2023 to 2025, was one of the few Republicans in Congress to back the PRO Act, which aims to simplify unionization for workers and penalize companies that obstruct union efforts. For more details on the bill’s cosponsors, visit the official Congress page.
Her initial endorsement of the PRO Act has been a sticking point with Republican senators, who largely oppose the bill. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), a member of the labor committee, expressed his likely opposition to Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination, suggesting her confirmation may hinge on Democratic support.
When questioned by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) about her stance on the PRO Act, Chavez-DeRemer explained her earlier support was politically motivated and stated she would refrain from advocating for it as Labor Secretary. She emphasized, “I do not believe that the Secretary of Labor should write the laws.” Chavez-DeRemer added that her focus was on representing Oregon’s 5th district and ensuring she participated in discussions on American workers’ issues, describing the bill as “imperfect.”
In an exchange with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chavez-DeRemer remained silent when Sanders suggested she no longer backed the PRO Act, effectively confirming her shift in perspective.
Chavez-DeRemer, who lost her 2024 congressional reelection bid to Democrat Janelle Bynum, was nominated by President Donald Trump for the Labor Secretary position on November 22. Her nomination has received praise from some labor organizations, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, despite Trump’s administration’s overall mixed record on workers’ rights. Further commentary from the Teamsters can be found here.
Other figures in Trump’s circle, such as Attorney General Pam Bondi, have previously supported policies perceived as weakening union influence, like Florida’s right-to-work laws. These laws forbid mandatory union membership or dues, which critics argue undermines union power and can lead to poorer working conditions.
Vice President J.D. Vance has also faced criticism for his lack of pro-worker legislative actions, reflected in a 0% score from the AFL-CIO, based on his voting record since joining the Senate in 2023.
Chavez-DeRemer’s previous congressional campaign had mixed support from labor groups, securing endorsements from the Teamsters and the Association of Flight Attendants, while her opponent, Bynum, was backed by AFSME, AFL-CIO, SIEU, and the United Auto Workers.
The White House has yet to provide a comment on this development.
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