Unexpected Bipartisan Harmony Marks Trump’s New Cabinet Selection

Former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer secured bipartisan approval as Labor Secretary with a 67-32 Senate vote, completing President Trump’s Cabinet confirmations in record time while bridging traditional partisan divides on labor issues.

Quick Takes

Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed with strong bipartisan support, gaining votes from 17 Senate Democrats despite her Republican background.
Her confirmation marks the completion of all 21 Trump Cabinet positions within just seven weeks of inauguration.
The Labor Secretary’s union-friendly positions and business background helped her secure broad support across party lines.
Some Republicans opposed her nomination due to her past support for pro-labor legislation.
As Labor Secretary, she will lead a department with nearly 16,000 employees and a proposed $13.9 billion budget.

Bipartisan Support Secures Swift Confirmation

In a notable display of cross-party cooperation, the Senate confirmed Lori Chavez-DeRemer as U.S. Labor Secretary with a comfortable 67-32 vote. The former Republican congresswoman from Oregon’s 5th District received support from 17 Democrats, demonstrating her appeal across the political spectrum. Her confirmation completes President Trump’s Cabinet appointments, with all 21 positions filled within seven weeks of Inauguration Day which is a stark contrast to the drawn-out confirmation battles that have plagued previous administrations.

Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation was not without opposition. Some Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sens. Rand Paul and Ted Budd, voted against her nomination due to concerns about her past union-friendly positions. On the Democratic side, notable opposition came from Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, though their objections appeared more tied to broader concerns about the Trump administration than Chavez-DeRemer herself.

A Bridge Between Labor and Business

Chavez-DeRemer’s unique background as both a small business owner and advocate for worker protections helped secure her confirmation. During her time in Congress, she co-sponsored legislation to protect public-sector workers’ Social Security benefits and has received support from both employer groups and labor unions. Notably, her nomination earned a recommendation from Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, signaling the Trump administration’s successful outreach to organized labor groups that have traditionally aligned with Democrats.

Her confirmation has drawn particular attention for its bipartisan nature in an era of deep political division. During her confirmation hearing, Chavez-DeRemer struck a balanced tone on labor issues, expressing support for state “right to work” laws while acknowledging that the federal minimum wage has not increased since 2009. This pragmatic approach helped secure support from moderates in both parties, though it raised concerns among some conservatives about her independence from traditional Republican labor positions.

✅ I’m deeply honored to be confirmed as the 30th @USDOL Secretary under President @realDonaldTrump.

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

Let's get to work 💪🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/epDdruYXf9

— Lori Chavez-DeRemer (@LChavezDeRemer) March 10, 2025

Leadership of a Critical Department

As Labor Secretary, Chavez-DeRemer now leads a department with nearly 16,000 employees and a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. Her department will play a crucial role in implementing President Trump’s worker-focused economic agenda while navigating potential challenges, including recession risks that some economists attribute to proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. These economic policies could significantly impact private sector employment, making the Labor Department’s role particularly important.

Her confirmation also reflects the broader success of the Trump administration in securing swift approval for its Cabinet selections. While some nominees faced tight votes – including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who required Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote – others received overwhelming support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio achieved unanimous confirmation with a 99-0 vote, demonstrating areas of bipartisan agreement within the administration’s foreign policy team. Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation now completes this Cabinet, allowing the administration to move forward with full leadership in place.