President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is set to face intense scrutiny as she appears before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) for her confirmation hearing on Wednesday. The hearing, scheduled for 10 a.m., will see Chavez-DeRemer defend her pro-union stance, which has already drawn criticism from some Republicans, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
GOP Pushback Over the PRO Act
Sen. Paul has been vocal in his opposition, citing Chavez-DeRemer’s previous support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a bill aimed at strengthening union protections while overriding state-level Right-to-Work laws. “Her support for the PRO Act, which would not only oppose national Right-to-Work but also preempt state law, makes it hard for me to support her,” Paul stated.
The PRO Act, introduced in Congress several years ago, has been a contentious issue among Republicans. It would eliminate laws that prevent unions from requiring mandatory dues from workers—a position that aligns with union interests but clashes with traditional conservative values supporting worker choice.
Can Chavez-DeRemer Clarify Her Stance?
While Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) acknowledged that most Republicans have not supported the PRO Act in the past, he suggested that Chavez-DeRemer could ease concerns by addressing the issue during the hearing. However, as of the night before the hearing, she had yet to publicly clarify whether her stance on the PRO Act had changed.
Fox News Digital reached out to Chavez-DeRemer’s team for comment, but no response was provided.
A Contentious Path to Confirmation
If Paul votes against her or abstains, Chavez-DeRemer could face a deadlock in the committee vote. This would force her nomination to be reported without a favorable recommendation, meaning she would need 60 votes in the full Senate to secure confirmation—a tough hurdle given the divided stance within the Republican Party.
As the hearing unfolds, all eyes will be on Chavez-DeRemer’s responses and whether she can convince enough senators to back her nomination. Will she distance herself from her pro-union past, or double down on her stance? The outcome could have major implications for the future of labor policy under the Trump administration.
Source: APnews
