Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Nominee pledges to ‘double down’ on child labor enforcement if confirmed
Loading...
Summary
Representative Lori Chavez de Remer told senators she would prioritize protecting minors from labor exploitation and work with Congress and agency staff to strengthen enforcement of child labor laws.
Concerned senators used the nomination hearing to press Representative Lori Chavez de Remer on enforcement of child labor laws and the increase in violations in recent years.
Senator Patty Murray and others noted a reported 31% increase since 2019 in minors employed in violation of federal child labor laws. Murray asked how Chavez de Remer would ensure the Wage and Hour Division and the Department of Labor solicitor’s office work together to enforce those laws. The nominee called child labor “abhorrent” and said she would “do everything in my power within the Department of Labor to double down on the safety of all American workers that are exploited, but especially child labor.” She offered to work with senators’ offices on the issue.
Other senators tied child labor concerns to border and immigration issues; members from multiple states described children entering the country who had been vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation. Chavez de Remer said she “100% commit[ted] to…work with you, your office and any other office in order to protect those children.”
The nominee said she expected to consult with agency experts and solicitors and to press for enforcement resources if confirmed. Senators urged stronger penalties and more vigorous inspections for employers who exploit minors; some lawmakers said they would pursue legislation to increase penalties for such violations.
