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Lori Chavez-DeRemer Set to Become Next Secretary of Labor, Signaling Shift in Labor Policy Under Trump Administration
Published 11 months, 2 weeks ago
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Lori Chavez-DeRemer is on the cusp of a significant milestone in her career, as she is poised for confirmation as the Secretary of Labor. Following a procedural vote on March 6, 2025, where she advanced with a 66-30 vote, Chavez-DeRemer is set to face a final confirmation vote from the full Senate on March 10, 2025. If confirmed, she will become the first permanent Secretary of Labor since Marty Walsh stepped down in 2023.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Congresswoman from Oregon, has garnered support from both Republicans and Democrats, despite her previous backing of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), a bill that has been contentious among conservatives. The PRO Act, which aims to make it easier for workers to join unions and utilizes the ABC Test to determine employee or independent contractor status, has been a point of contention. However, during her confirmation hearings in February, Chavez-DeRemer distanced herself from her previous support of the PRO Act, stating that her role would be to implement President Trump's policy vision and ensure a level playing field for businesses, unions, and American workers[1][4].
This shift in stance was crucial, as the previous Department of Labor nominee, Julie Su, faced significant opposition due to her support for similar measures like the PRO Act and California's AB5. Chavez-DeRemer's commitment to President Trump's policies has helped alleviate some of the concerns from conservative lawmakers[1].
In addition to Chavez-DeRemer's nomination, Keith Sonderling, who has been nominated for the position of Deputy Secretary of Labor, has also advanced. Sonderling, who previously served as a commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, is expected to play a significant role in setting the policy agenda of the DOL if confirmed[4].
The broader labor landscape is also undergoing significant changes under the new administration. The Trump Department of Labor is likely to retreat from the Biden-era Independent Contractor Rule, which had rescinded the Trump-era test for independent contractor classification. This move aligns with President Trump's executive orders and policy initiatives that have been rolling back several labor regulations implemented during the Biden administration[2].
Furthermore, the reintroduction of the PRO Act by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Bobby Scott, despite its previous rejections, highlights the ongoing debate over labor rights and unionization. The bill's provisions, including the ban on state right-to-work laws and the reclassification of independent contractors as employees, continue to be highly contentious[4].
As Chavez-DeRemer prepares to take on her new role, she will be navigating a complex and evolving labor policy environment. Her confirmation and the subsequent policies she will implement will be closely watched by both labor unions and business groups, each with their own set of expectations and concerns.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Congresswoman from Oregon, has garnered support from both Republicans and Democrats, despite her previous backing of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), a bill that has been contentious among conservatives. The PRO Act, which aims to make it easier for workers to join unions and utilizes the ABC Test to determine employee or independent contractor status, has been a point of contention. However, during her confirmation hearings in February, Chavez-DeRemer distanced herself from her previous support of the PRO Act, stating that her role would be to implement President Trump's policy vision and ensure a level playing field for businesses, unions, and American workers[1][4].
This shift in stance was crucial, as the previous Department of Labor nominee, Julie Su, faced significant opposition due to her support for similar measures like the PRO Act and California's AB5. Chavez-DeRemer's commitment to President Trump's policies has helped alleviate some of the concerns from conservative lawmakers[1].
In addition to Chavez-DeRemer's nomination, Keith Sonderling, who has been nominated for the position of Deputy Secretary of Labor, has also advanced. Sonderling, who previously served as a commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, is expected to play a significant role in setting the policy agenda of the DOL if confirmed[4].
The broader labor landscape is also undergoing significant changes under the new administration. The Trump Department of Labor is likely to retreat from the Biden-era Independent Contractor Rule, which had rescinded the Trump-era test for independent contractor classification. This move aligns with President Trump's executive orders and policy initiatives that have been rolling back several labor regulations implemented during the Biden administration[2].
Furthermore, the reintroduction of the PRO Act by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Bobby Scott, despite its previous rejections, highlights the ongoing debate over labor rights and unionization. The bill's provisions, including the ban on state right-to-work laws and the reclassification of independent contractors as employees, continue to be highly contentious[4].
As Chavez-DeRemer prepares to take on her new role, she will be navigating a complex and evolving labor policy environment. Her confirmation and the subsequent policies she will implement will be closely watched by both labor unions and business groups, each with their own set of expectations and concerns.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI