Nobody expected to see this.
Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has announced that he will vote against former Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), who was nominated by President Trump to lead the Department of Labor. In a statement released on social media, Paul made it clear that he cannot support her nomination due to her labor-friendly stance, particularly her endorsement of the PRO Act, a controversial piece of labor legislation that many conservatives oppose.
“I’m the national spokesman and lead author of the right-to-work bill,” Paul wrote on X, formerly Twitter, linking to a report from NBC News that discussed his opposition to Chavez-DeRemer. “Her support for the PRO Act, which would not only endanger national right-to-work protections but also override state-level laws, is a dealbreaker for me.” Paul emphasized that this issue is of significant importance to him, which is why he cannot back her nomination.
The PRO Act, which has been a point of contention for conservatives, aims to expand union influence and strengthen workers’ rights to organize. Chavez-DeRemer’s support for this bill, combined with her backing of similar measures to boost public-sector unions, has made her a divisive figure in the Republican Party. These positions have led some Republicans to question her commitment to the values of free-market capitalism and worker independence, with groups like the Heritage Foundation criticizing her stance.
While Chavez-DeRemer has garnered support from labor unions, her nomination has been met with skepticism from certain business groups who fear that her leadership at the Department of Labor could shift the agency in a more pro-union direction. Even Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) expressed concerns, noting that he intends to question Chavez-DeRemer about her support for the PRO Act.
This controversy comes as more Republicans are starting to engage with labor issues, as evidenced by the Teamsters President’s appearance at the Republican National Convention in 2024. However, for many conservatives, Chavez-DeRemer’s pro-labor views are a step too far.