Senate Confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer to Serve as Secretary of Labor

SMACNA is applauding the confirmation of Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the nation’s 30th Department of Labor Secretary. A 62-37 bipartisan vote confirmed the former Congresswoman. 

As a Member of Congress, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer distinguished herself by serving her congressional district in a bipartisan, fair, and balanced manner, earning widespread support for her work creating initiatives, ideas, and legislation. 

SMACNA firmly believes she will serve the Trump Administration by advocating for labor–management cooperation and seeking enforcement of the nation’s labor standards and procurement laws. We especially appreciated her efforts during her term in Congress, where she was known for positive reforms to the Davis-Bacon Act, Registered Apprenticeship programs (RAPs), and other workplace standards essential to the leading quality-driven firms in the construction industry. 

Since her arrival in Washington, SMACNA CEO Aaron Hilger said Rep. Chavez-DeRemer consistently met with, worked with, and listened to employers and employees to advocate for reasonable job creation and management policies. “This experience will be invaluable as the Department continues implementing important contracting laws, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPs and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, each with important apprenticeship job training and expansion incentives. Each offers pathways to strengthen the “high road” contracting industry and create far more high-quality skilled construction careers, careers that build greater family and community economic wealth,” added Hilger.

SMACNA Executive Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Stan Kolbe added that Chavez-DeRemer has regularly spoken of the need to reform specific workforce development rules to reflect the intent of enacted statutes better and to reform and expand registered apprenticeship opportunities. Additionally, Kolbe added, “These potential improvements could be instrumental in meeting and addressing the skilled workforce shortage crisis.”