Senate HELP Committee votes 13-9 to favorably report Lori Chavez DeRemer nomination to the Senate

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on an unspecified date voted 13–9 to favorably report the nomination of Lori Chavez DeRemer to be secretary of labor to the full Senate.

Supporters told the committee Chavez DeRemer would prioritize an agenda they described as "pro‑worker" by preserving state-level right‑to‑work rules, protecting independent contractor arrangements and defending the franchise business model, which witnesses and members cited as employing millions of Americans. Committee discussion and statements by sponsors framed the nomination as an opportunity to align the Department of Labor's regulatory approach with those priorities.

Opponents, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I‑Vt.), warned that broader economic inequality and corporate resistance to unionization are urgent issues and questioned whether a cabinet official would be able to act independently of powerful private actors. Sanders characterized the current moment as "unusual and dangerous" and said many workers seek union membership and higher wages; he said he did not believe Chavez DeRemer would be the official to take on powerful special interests.

The committee recorded a roll-call tally of 13 ayes and 9 nays and reported the nomination favorably to the Senate. The clerk announced that "Ayes have it," and the nominations were ordered to be reported to the full Senate for consideration.

Votes at a glance - Nomination: Lori Chavez DeRemer, nominee for Secretary of Labor - Committee outcome: Favorably reported to the Senate - Tally: 13 ayes, 9 nays - Recorded positions cited during the committee proceeding: Sen. Bernie Sanders — no; Sen. Patty Murray — no; Sen. Tammy Baldwin — present and voting no; several Republican committee members recorded aye during roll call (recorded aloud during the session).