Lori Chavez-DeRemer, recently confirmed as the 30th Secretary of Labor, has quickly become a prominent figure in Washington, drawing attention for her bipartisan appeal and moderate record. Sworn in on March 11, 2025, after a decisive 67-32 Senate vote, she entered the role amid both high expectations and considerable scrutiny. Notably, her confirmation gained support from 17 Senate Democrats and several influential labor unions, including the Teamsters and the International Association of Fire Fighters, despite three Republican senators voting against her. This unusual coalition reflected Chavez-DeRemer's balanced approach during her tenure as a U.S. Representative from Oregon, where she developed a reputation for supporting both worker advocacy and industry flexibility.
Both business and labor groups in key industries supported her nomination, albeit for differing reasons. Non-union contractors, for example, signaled hope for policies supporting right-to-work laws and secret ballot elections, while labor organizations looked to her history of advocating for workers’ rights and supporting workforce development initiatives. During her confirmation hearings, Chavez-DeRemer addressed concerns about her previous support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, stating emphatically that as Secretary her focus would shift from lawmaking to implementing President Trump’s workforce agenda and ensuring fairness across businesses and unions. She also underscored her commitment to modernizing labor laws to reflect the changing nature of work.
Chavez-DeRemer’s record in Congress included co-sponsoring workforce development legislation and supporting the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which aims to expand access to career training and apprenticeships. Her advocacy for manufacturing jobs and robust training programs suggests a continued focus on equipping American workers for evolving industries. This orientation dovetails with her expressed intent to improve retirement security and expand access to workplace retirement plans—a point highlighted by statements from industry groups and retirement plan providers following her confirmation.
Her appointment comes at a turbulent time for the Department of Labor, as the Trump administration pursues broader government efficiency initiatives, including major reductions in federal employment. Chavez-DeRemer has responded by pledging to closely examine these restructuring efforts, signaling a careful, measured approach to organizational change within her department.
Supporting her at the Department of Labor is Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling, an experienced administrator known for his work on compliance and worker classification in the gig economy. Together, they oversee an agency responsible for administering laws related to workplace safety, wage and hour standards, contractor regulations, and labor law enforcement.
As more hearings and public statements are anticipated in the coming days, the labor and business communities alike are watching Chavez-DeRemer’s early actions with interest, seeking clarity on how she will navigate the competing demands of economic growth, worker protection, and regulatory reform. Her ability to strike a balance in these areas will define her tenure as Secretary of Labor and shape the future landscape of American work.
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