Lori Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Trump administration’s Secretary of Labor March 10, in a  67-32 vote that saw 17 Democrats support her and three Republicans vote against her confirmation. 

The former congresswoman and mayor of an Oregon town has drawn positive reaction from both business and labor groups in the construction industry. Both sides cited differing reasons for celebrating the
moderate republican who will now lead the U.S. Dept. of Labor, a large, federal bureaucracy that includes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Wage and Hour Division. 

“ABC is hopeful that we can find common ground…,” said Kristen Swearingen, Associated Builders and Contractors vice president, legislative & political affairs in a statement. “All Americans––nonunion and union––deserve a labor secretary and DOL leaders who will create the conditions so that every worker and job creator can choose how to achieve their career dreams and prosper in a safe and healthy environment.

ABC’s statement further quoted Swearingen as saying it intends to hold Chavez-DeRemer to her testimonial commitments in late February to protect all workers and support right-to-work laws and secret ballot elections. ABC, which represents mostly non-union contractors, also said it still stands “vehemently opposed to the Protecting the Right to Organize Act and all of its components.”

Chavez DeRemer previously supported the PRO Act in Congress but said in her confirmation hearing before a U.S. Senate Committee that she now opposes it. 

The Associated General Contractors of America, which represents  both construction contractors and union signatory firms,  said they support DeRemer but they expect to work with the new labor department to change federal work rules.

“We want to make sure the Department takes steps to ensure that all construction workers have an equal opportunity to compete for federal construction work.” said Brian Turmail, vice president, public affairs and workforce of the AGC, in a reference to a recent court ruling and administration announcements rescinding Biden administration requirements for project labor agreements on federal projects valued at $35 million or more. Turmail added that AGC expects to partner with the Trump administration Dept. of Labor to address mental and physical safety threats to the industry and that the Department can help AGC expand pathways into the construction industry.

On the labor union side, North America’s Building Trades Unions—the umbrella group that represents the interests of 14 national and international unions and more than 330 provincial, state and local building and construction trades councils—was effusive in its praise of Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation. 

“NABTU applauds the confirmation of Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor,” NABTU President Sean McGarvey said in a statement. “As the proud daughter of a Teamster, she understands firsthand the vital role unions and working families play in building a stronger, more prosperous America. Her bipartisan leadership and steadfast commitment to workforce development, prevailing wage, and expanding access to middle-class, family-sustaining careers make her an exceptional choice for this role.”

McGarvey’s statement further said strong leadership at the Department of Labor is critical to safeguarding workers’ rights, promoting fair wages, and ensuring safe job sites across all industries and that “Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has consistently supported the building trades and our gold-standard Registered Apprenticeship model.”

A notable critic has been former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who voted no along with fellow Republican senators Rand Paul (Ky.) and Ted Budd (N.C.). After criticizing the pro-union policies of the Biden administration, such as requiring PLAs, and criticizing Chavez DeRemer’s support of the PRO Act, McConnell said, in a statement, “Secretary Chavez-DeRemer will have a critical opportunity to put the interests of working families ahead of Big Labor bosses by empowering every American worker to join a union on their terms. I hope she takes it.”

Chavez-DeRemer becomes the 30th Labor Secretary in U.S. history. The most recent confirmed nominee to hold the role was former Boston Mayor and ENR Newsmaker Martin Walsh who left the Biden administration in March 2023.