Trump Gets Another Major Win

On Monday, the Senate confirmed former Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) as the next Secretary of the Department of Labor, marking another significant victory for President Trump’s administration. The confirmation passed with a 67-32 vote, with 17 Democrats crossing party lines to support Chavez-DeRemer, alongside the majority of Republicans. However, several high-profile Republicans, including Senators Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.), voted against her. Additionally, Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) did not participate in the vote.

For many conservatives, Chavez-DeRemer represents a much-needed change from the bureaucratic overreach and burdensome regulations of the Biden administration. Under President Biden, the Department of Labor was criticized for policies that many believed hindered American workers, such as the aggressive push against independent contractors and the mishandling of COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) voiced the frustration many Republicans felt about the department’s past direction. “The Biden administration pushed out many mandates that were the very opposite of pro-worker,” Thune stated, highlighting the shift in priorities expected with Trump’s second term. “Making life better for working Americans will be a top priority, and it’s a welcome change in direction from the last four years.”

Chavez-DeRemer will now oversee a department with 16,000 full-time employees and a potential budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. Her confirmation marks the 21st successful appointment of a Trump nominee, showcasing the administration’s commitment to filling key positions with individuals who share its vision.

Despite strong support from most Republicans, Chavez-DeRemer’s record on labor policy raised concerns within the party’s more conservative wing. During her time in the House, she co-sponsored the PRO Act, a bill that would have increased union influence. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) criticized this, warning that Chavez-DeRemer’s stance on union policies could continue the Biden administration’s pro-union agenda, which he argued hurt workers’ freedoms. McConnell emphasized that most Americans believe union membership should remain a personal choice, a sentiment echoed by many right-to-work states.

While her pro-union stance attracted some opposition, Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation was ultimately supported by a group of moderate Democrats, ensuring her path to confirmation. During her confirmation hearing, she reassured lawmakers that she would serve at the “pleasure” of President Trump, promising to prioritize the interests of American workers over special interest groups. With her confirmation, she now faces the challenge of proving that she can deliver on the promise of worker empowerment, while keeping the interests of hardworking Americans at the forefront of labor policy.