President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for labour secretary is one of the few Republican lawmakers who has signed on to the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, also known as the PRO Act, legislation that would make it easier for workers to unionize, and her nomination has been welcomed by some key labour unions. Trump announced on Friday his intention to nominate Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Labour Department, a position that requires Senate approval. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labour communities will ensure that the Labour Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success – Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!” Trump said this in a statement.

Chavez-DeRemer is the first Republican woman and one of two Latinas to serve in Congress from Oregon. The former Happy Valley mayor and businesswoman lost her campaign to reclaim Oregon’s 5th district earlier this month.

The rookie congresswoman is a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, which began as the Education and Labour Committee over 150 years ago. If efforts to abolish the federal Department of Education are successful during the second Trump term, Chavez-DeRemer might potentially head education programs that are transferred to the Labour Department.

According to the bill text, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has presented legislation with a multi-year timeline to dissolve the Department of Education and transfer its responsibilities to the Departments of Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, State, and Labour. Chairwoman Virginia Foxx issued the following statement, praising her colleague on the congressional committee.

“I am looking forward to seeing a Department of Labour that supports free-market principles so that workers and job creators may thrive. It is past time for the federal government to take a step back. Instead of punishing, overbearing rules that kill jobs, it is time to unleash America’s inventiveness and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Some major labour unions are also pleased with Chavez-DeRemer’s pick. The National Education Association (NEA), the country’s largest professional staff organization, hailed the nomination.

“During her term in Congress, Lori Chavez-DeRemer voted against eliminating the Department of Education, against school vouchers, and against education funding cuts. “She cosponsored the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, the PRO Act, and other pro-student, pro-public school, and pro-worker bills,” NEA President Becky Pringle said in a statement. The PRO Act will strengthen labour protections for workers’ ability to form unions in the workplace. Chavez-DeRemer, who co-sponsored the bill this summer, is one of only three Republicans in the House to do so.

This record contrasts sharply with Donald Trump’s anti-worker, anti-union record, as well as his extreme Project 2025 program, which would destroy workplace rights, make it more difficult for workers to unionize, and undermine working people’s voices,” Pringle continued.

She continued: “Educators and working families across the nation will be watching Lori Chavez-DeRemer as she moves through the confirmation process and hope to hear a pledge from her to continue to stand up for workers and students as her record suggests, not blind loyalty to the Project 2025 agenda.” Sean O’Brien, head of the Teamsters union, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in July, reportedly urged Trump to select Chavez-DeRemer for the position.

Following the announcement of the nomination, O’Brien sent a congratulations message on the social networking platform X.