Former Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed as U.S. labor secretary with a bipartisan vote March 10.

The Senate tally was 67 “yeas” to 32 “nays.”

Chavez-DeRemer, a moderate, union-friendly Republican and the daughter of a Teamster, was approved with the help of 17 Democrats while three Republicans voted against her.

She joins the Cabinet of President Donald Trump as his administration is trying to slash the federal workforce, an effort that has drawn several lawsuits.

Chavez-DeRemer will lead an agency tasked with promoting and protecting workers, job seekers and retirees.

“As promised, I’ll work tirelessly to put American Workers First by fighting for good-paying jobs, safe working conditions and secure retirement benefits,” Chavez-DeRemer wrote on X.

PRO Act

While in Congress, Chavez-DeRemer was one of three Republicans to co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.

Her union ties and support of the PRO Act, which would have made it easier for workers to unionize, drew the ire of conservatives.

“I recognize that that bill was imperfect,” Chavez-DeRemer said during her confirmation hearing in February, adding that she was pushing forward a measure that mattered to constituents.

She said she supported state right to work laws, which the PRO Act would have weakened.

“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.

Farm group, union support

Her nomination in November was met with enthusiasm from Pacific Northwest agriculture leaders, who said they appreciated Chavez-DeRemer’s knowledge of farm issues, her advocacy and her ability to work with a mix of interests.

Kate Tynan, senior vice president of the Northwest Horticulture Council, said on March 12 that it was exciting to have a labor secretary who understood the challenges of the H-2A guestworker program and the importance of agricultural labor.

“While there is much work to be done, we look forward to working with her to pursue the reforms to the H-2A program that our tree fruit growers so desperately need,” she added, in an email.

Unions, including those representing firefighters, transportation workers and builders, celebrated Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation.

“Chavez-DeRemer earned support on both sides of the aisle, highlighting her ability to bridge divides and serve all Americans effectively,” said Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien.

In a prepared statement, O’Brien added that Chavez-DeRemer was a bold pick to oversee the U.S. Department of Labor.

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations was encouraged by Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation because of her track record. But the organization noted that she’s joining an administration that’s been “openly hostile to working people.”

Northwest votes

Democrats Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington voted no on Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation.

Republicans Mike Crapo and James Risch of Idaho voted yes.

In a social media post, Merkley said he didn’t vote for any Trump cabinet nominees but he would gladly partner with Chavez-DeRemer to champion workers.

Election and background

Chavez-DeRemer, a Latina businesswoman, was the mayor of Happy Valley, Ore., population 27,600, from 2010 to 2018.

She became the first Republican woman elected to Congress in Oregon in 2022.

In November, Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost a reelection bid for Oregon’s sprawling Fifth District, which stretches from Portland across the Cascade Range to Central Oregon.