WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lori Chavez-DeRemer, nominated by President Donald Trump to head the Department of Labor (DOL), appeared before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) for her confirmation hearing. The hearing quickly turned into a heated discussion, as senators from both sides of the aisle scrutinized her stances on key issues such as labor rights, the PRO Act, minimum wage policies, and "right-to-work" laws.

Chavez-DeRemer, who has previously been criticized for walking a fine line between supporting labor unions and advocating for business interests, used her testimony to assert her ability to bridge the divide between employers and employees. Despite this, her confirmation hearing sparked sharp exchanges, particularly around her co-sponsorship of the PRO Act, which aims to expand labor protections.

Background and Support for Workers

Chavez-DeRemer’s opening testimony provided insight into her background, explaining that she grew up in a working-class family, with a father who was a member of the Teamsters union. She also discussed her experience running a small business with her husband, which gave her a deep understanding of the challenges employers face. Chavez-DeRemer emphasized her commitment to American workers and job creation, as well as her dedication to providing skilled trade programs to address manufacturing layoffs.

“I recognize that I’m no longer the lawmaker, and I do not believe that the secretary of labor should write the laws,” she said. “What I believe is that the American worker deserves to be paid attention to.”

Her comments were aimed at calming concerns from both sides of the political spectrum, as Chavez-DeRemer positioned herself as a candidate who could represent both labor and employers fairly.

Bipartisan Scrutiny and Concerns

The HELP Committee’s chairman, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and ranking member, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., led the questioning on opposing sides.

Cassidy pressed Chavez-DeRemer about her support for the PRO Act and how it would affect businesses. Chavez-DeRemer acknowledged the concerns but reiterated her belief that she would not be involved in lawmaking. “It will be up to Congress to write those laws and to work together,” she said. “I respect the right of the ‘right-to-work’ states. And I have said that the bill was imperfect.”

Chavez-DeRemer also responded to concerns about the potential impact of unions on franchise businesses. “I supported the overturning of the NLRB rule on joint employers to support the franchise business model,” she said, referring to Trump’s support for changing the joint employer rule during his first term.

On the independent contractor issue, she assured senators that she would work to protect worker flexibility, a concern that Cassidy and others raised. “I commit to working with you on supporting independent contractors through this process,” she responded.

Sanders, on the other hand, questioned Chavez-DeRemer about her evolving views on the PRO Act and minimum wage, asking whether she still supported increasing the national minimum wage. Chavez-DeRemer acknowledged that while she supported the American worker, she recognized that different areas of the country faced different economic realities. “What works in Portland, Oregon, is not going to work for Grants Pass, Oregon,” she stated.

Chavez-DeRemer also faced repeated questioning about the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which had been operating with a vacant quorum for an extended period. “Do you believe that the firing of Ms. Wilcox was illegal?” Sanders asked, referring to a high-profile case. Chavez-DeRemer responded that the NLRB is separate from the DOL and that she would work to ensure it functioned properly once confirmed.

Addressing Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., also raised concerns about Chavez-DeRemer’s ethics, specifically questioning her commitment to following the law and avoiding conflicts of interest. She referred to misallocated funds and data privacy issues involving Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as an example of potential conflicts of interest.

“I will always follow the law and the constitution,” Chavez-DeRemer assured, adding that she would protect the Department of Labor and its data.

Mullin’s Plea for Unity

In a moment of levity amidst the tense proceedings, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., acknowledged the presence of Teamsters Union President Sean O’Brien, who was present at the hearing. O’Brien had endorsed Chavez-DeRemer despite the political differences between the Republican Party and unions. Mullin, who had previously clashed with O’Brien in a committee hearing in 2023, suggested that Chavez-DeRemer was well-positioned to bring together diverse factions in the debate over labor policy.

“I would hope that you would set your biased opinions to the side, and understand that this is a negotiation between two factions of the party, that is saying, ‘We are willing to work together,’” Mullin said.

Chavez-DeRemer’s Testimony and Future Outlook

Throughout the hearing, Chavez-DeRemer maintained a calm demeanor and often reiterated her belief that the role of the Secretary of Labor is to enforce the laws written by Congress rather than engage in lawmaking. She skillfully navigated questions from senators across the aisle, framing herself as a bridge-builder who could represent both business and labor interests.

Despite frequent pressure from Sanders and Murray, she remained steadfast in her commitment to worker rights while supporting small businesses and job creators.

As the hearing drew to a close, Chavez-DeRemer’s ability to maintain a balanced approach and navigate these contentious issues positioned her as a figure who could bring compromise and cooperation to a deeply divided labor policy landscape.

Originally reported by Caroline Calvin in Construction Dive.