WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to favorably report the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor by a vote of 14 to 9. Her nomination will now move to the Senate floor for a final vote at a later date.
Before the vote, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the HELP Committee, delivered remarks on Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination. Cassidy’s speech as prepared for delivery can be found below:
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will please come to order.
Under the Biden administration, the Department of Labor used its authority as a weapon against workers; taking away their freedoms and making it harder for these workers to provide for themselves and their families.
With this administration, we have an opportunity to enact a new pro-America agenda that puts workers first. Over the last several weeks, Representative Chavez-DeRemer demonstrated her commitment to this mission.
If confirmed as Secretary of Labor, she committed to preserving states’ Right-to-Work laws, ensuring Americans are not forced into unionization. This issue is important to me and other members of the Committee.
Representative Chavez-DeRemer committed to protecting independent workers and their flexibility to earn a living in the manner in which they choose. She understands the importance of the franchise model, which employs over nine million Americans and makes it easier to become a small business owner.
Now, Representative Chavez-DeRemer's nomination has the support of unions and businesses.
If confirmed, she has the opportunity to bring these two groups together to secure a better future for all. That is what she brings to the table. That is why President Trump nominated her.
Representative Chavez-DeRemer is ready to work with the Committee to advance a pro-worker agenda at the Department of Labor. I’m a yes on her nomination, and urge my colleagues to do the same.
With that, I recognize Senator Sanders for his opening statement.
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