Former Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Labor Department, advanced out of committee on Thursday because of support from Democrats.
Chavez-DeRemer, 56, was voted out of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in a 13-9 vote. Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) joined Republicans in voting to push forward her nomination. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voted against her advancing from committee.
Without the Democratic support, her nomination would have failed, given Paul voting against her and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) not voting.
Some Republicans have been reticent about moving her along, given her past support for controversial pro-union legislation.
During her confirmation hearing, Chavez-DeRemer repeatedly said she would carry out Trump’s agenda when asked about her past support for the PRO Act. She didn’t wholly disavow her past support of it but said she no longer supports certain aspects of it.
“As a member of Congress, the PRO Act was the bill to have those conversations, conversations that matter deeply to the people of Oregon’s 5th Congressional District,” she told lawmakers. “I recognize that that bill was imperfect, and I also recognize that I am no longer representing Oregon as a lawmaker.”
“If confirmed, my job will be to implement President Trump’s policy vision, and my guiding principle will be President Trump’s guiding principle — ensuring a level playing field for businesses, unions, and, most importantly, the American worker,” Chavez-DeRemer said.
The PRO Act would enact sweeping changes to the employment landscape, including adjusting what kinds of workers can be classified as independent contractors. Corporations such as Uber might be compelled to place workers on its payroll instead of just paying them for the services provided by drivers.
The act would also essentially end right-to-work laws, which have been enacted in 27 states, and stop unions from requiring that employees pay dues or fees. Employees who benefit from a collective bargaining agreement can be compelled to contribute to the union.
Paul was particularly concerned about Chavez-DeRemer’s support for the PRO Act as it relates to ending right-to-work laws. During her hearing, though, she said she no longer supports that aspect of the bill.
“You no longer support the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned state right-to-work laws?” Paul asked.
“Yes, sir,” she responded.
Nevertheless, Paul voted against her on Thursday.
In a statement before her vote to confirm Chavez-DeRemer, Hassan praised the nominee’s qualifications for the role.
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“Though we may not agree on everything, after meeting with Representative Chavez-DeRemer and listening to her testimony during her confirmation hearing, I believe that she is qualified to serve as the next Secretary of Labor and I look forward to working with her to support New Hampshire’s workers and small businesses,” Hassan said in a statement.
Chavez-DeRemer will likely face a full Senate vote in the coming days that will determine whether she will become the country’s 30th labor secretary.