Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Labor Department, testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
As a member of the HELP committee, Paul had the opportunity to question Chavez-DeRemer about the PRO Act on Wednesday.
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"So you no longer support the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned state Right-to-Work laws?" Paul asked during the hearing.
Chavez-DeRemer agreed she no longer supports the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned the state’s Right-to-Work laws, replying, "Yes, sir."
"Like President Trump, I believe our labor laws need to be updated and modernized to reflect today's workforce and the business environment," Chavez-DeRemer said on Wednesday. "As a member of Congress, the PRO Act was the bill to have those conversations that mattered deeply to the people of Oregon's 5th congressional district. I recognize that that bill was imperfect, and I also recognize that I am no longer representing Oregon as a lawmaker."
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Labor Department, greets Ranking Member Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as she arrives for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-V.T.) began the hearing by questioning if Chavez-DeRemer would stand by her pro-union values or bend the knee to Trump’s "authoritarian" rule.
"You will have to make a choice. Will you be a rubber stamp for the anti-worker agenda of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and other multi-billionaires who are blatantly anti-union?" Sanders asked.
"Or will you stand with working families all over the country? So that is really the main issue. It's not just your record. This is a very unusual administration. In my view, we are moving toward an authoritarian society where one person has enormous power," Sanders added.
Chavez-DeRemer was joined by her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, father Richard Chavez, mother Patricia Chavez, daughter Annie DeRemer and other extended family members.
Then-former President Donald Trump holds up a fist at a campaign rally at the Santander Arena on Nov. 4, 2024 in Reading, Pennsylvania. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
"My record of collaboration demonstrates a shared belief that, under President Trump’s leadership, we can deliver real solutions. Putting American Workers First is not just a vision but a promise to fight for every working mom, single dad, small business owner, and every American striving for their fair shot at the American Dream," Chavez-DeRemer said.
Less than three weeks after he was elected president, Trump nominated Chavez-DeRemer for U.S. secretary of Labor.
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"Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America’s workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America," Trump said. "I look forward to working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American Workers, to expand training and apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our manufacturing jobs. Together, we will achieve historic cooperation between Business and Labor that will restore the American Dream for Working Families."
Fox News' Julia Johnson contributed to this report.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-nominee-labor-secretary-walks-back-support-pro-act