Unexpected Political Unity: Chavez-DeRemer’s Path to Labor Secretary Confirmed

The Senate has confirmed Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary with substantial bipartisan support, completing Trump’s Cabinet lineup in record time while raising questions about the future of labor policy under the new administration.

Key Takeaways

Former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed as Labor Secretary with a bipartisan vote of 67-32, including support from 17 Senate Democrats.
All 21 of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees have now been confirmed within just seven weeks of Inauguration Day, demonstrating unusual efficiency.
Chavez-DeRemer’s union-friendly past positions drew some Republican opposition while garnering Democratic support, highlighting her unique crossover appeal.
As Labor Secretary, she will lead nearly 16,000 employees with a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025.
Her confirmation underscores the Trump administration’s efforts to build inroads with organized labor groups traditionally aligned with Democrats.

Bipartisan Support Secures Confirmation

The Senate confirmed Lori Chavez-DeRemer as U.S. Labor Secretary with a solid 67-32 vote, completing President Donald Trump’s second-term Cabinet. The former Republican congresswoman from Oregon’s 5th District secured support from 17 Senate Democrats, demonstrating rare bipartisan consensus in today’s polarized political climate. Notable Republican opposition came from Senators Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, and Ted Budd, primarily due to Chavez-DeRemer’s past union-friendly positions and support for legislation facilitating union organizing.

Following her confirmation, Chavez-DeRemer expressed gratitude and outlined her priorities stating, “As promised, I’ll work tirelessly to put American Workers First by fighting for good-paying jobs, safe working conditions, and secure retirement benefits.” Her confirmation represents a significant achievement for the Trump administration, which has now secured Senate approval for all 21 Cabinet positions within just seven weeks of Inauguration Day which is a remarkably swift process compared to previous administrations.

Labor Department Leadership and Challenges

As Labor Secretary, Chavez-DeRemer will lead a department with nearly 16,000 employees and a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. Her background as a small business owner and her connections to both employer groups and labor unions positioned her as a unique candidate. The Teamsters Union President Sean O’Brien notably recommended her confirmation, highlighting her potential to bridge traditional political divides on labor issues. During her confirmation process, she acknowledged the federal minimum wage has remained unchanged since 2009 but cautioned against economic disruption from rapid increases.

The new Labor Secretary faces immediate challenges, including concerns about potential recession risks from Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China that could trigger private sector job cuts. Democrats have also raised alarms about recent actions by the administration, including federal employee terminations and the dismissal of the National Labor Relations Board’s acting chair. During her confirmation hearings, Chavez-DeRemer declined to comment on Elon Musk’s role in administration cost-cutting initiatives, citing insufficient briefing on the matter.

Trump’s Completed Cabinet

With Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation, President Trump has successfully installed his entire second-term Cabinet in record time. Other key confirmations include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who received unanimous bipartisan support with a 99-0 vote, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Some confirmations were narrowly achieved, with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote for Hegseth. The administration has also secured confirmations for critical non-Cabinet positions, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.