Trump picks Rep. Chavez-DeRemer for Labor

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to be secretary of the Department of Labor.

“Together, we will achieve historic cooperation between Business and Labor that will restore the American Dream for Working Families,” Trump said in a statement. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success – Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!”

Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., is a first-term lawmaker who lost her reelection bid to Democrat Janelle Bynum, currently a state representative. Chavez-DeRemer was the first Republican since 1997 to represent the 5th District, which includes part of Portland, the eastern Willamette Valley and encompasses Bend. She conceded a close race to Bynum on Nov. 14.

She garnered support from labor unions during the campaign, including the United Food and Commercial Workers and Teamsters Local 37, according to a story Tuesday in Willamette Week.

“Perhaps most importantly to a president who prizes loyalty, Chavez-DeRemer imperiled her own reelection chances by endorsing Trump — a bold move in the 5th Congressional District, where Democrats hold a 5-point voter registration advantage,” the paper reported.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien told House Republican leaders in a Tuesday meeting that Chavez-DeRemer “would be an excellent choice for Labor Secretary,” Teamsters spokesperson Kara Deniz wrote in an email.

The Teamsters are backing Chavez-DeRemer in part because she is a co-sponsor of a bill that would facilitate the formation of labor unions. She was one of three Republicans to sign on to the legislation.

“She has been a strong advocate for workers and co-sponsored the PRO Act,” Deniz said. “While there is never a guarantee any candidate for the position will agree with us on every topic, she is forthright and she will listen.”

Chavez-DeRemer’s Capitol Hill experience most directly related to the Labor Department is her service on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. She is a member of the subcommittees on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions; and Higher Education and Workforce Development.

She sponsored several pieces of labor legislation, including a bill that would amend a workforce development law to strengthen technical assistance and support for communities impacted by substance abuse.

A member of the House Agriculture Committee, Chavez-DeRemer also sponsored a bill that would establish an Agriculture Department program for forestry workforce development.

Chavez-DeRemer stressed her independence in her Democratic-leaning district.

“We can’t be one sided – in this divided country, and in this divided Congress, the only way to get good policy done is to work across the aisle,” Chavez-DeRemer said in a June 3 Instagram post.