Lori Chavez-DeRemer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lori Chavez-DeRemer
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Official portrait, 2025
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| 30th United States Secretary of Labor | |
| Assumed office March 11, 2025 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Keith Sonderling |
| Preceded by | Marty Walsh |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 5th district |
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| In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Kurt Schrader |
| Succeeded by | Janelle Bynum |
| Mayor of Happy Valley | |
| In office January 18, 2011 – January 15, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Rob Wheeler |
| Succeeded by | Tom Ellis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lori Michelle Chávez
April 7, 1968 Santa Clara, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Shawn DeRemer
(m. 1991) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Stuart Erwin (great-granduncle) |
| Education | California State University, Fresno (BBA) |
Lori Chavez-DeRemer (born April 7, 1968) is an American politician. She is currently the 30th United States secretary of labor, starting in 2025. Before this, she was a U.S. representative for Oregon from 2023 to 2025. She also served as the mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, from 2011 to 2019.
Chavez-DeRemer is a member of the Republican Party. She was the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the U.S. House. She is also one of the first two Hispanic women elected to the United States Congress from Oregon.
In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump chose Chavez-DeRemer to be the Secretary of Labor. She supported a bill called the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). This act helps workers form or join unions and bargain with employers. Her nomination was supported by the head of the Teamsters union. The Senate confirmed her for the role in March 2025.
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Early Life and Education
Lori Chavez-DeRemer was born on April 7, 1968, in Santa Clara, California. She grew up in Hanford, California. She finished high school at Hanford High School in 1986. Later, she earned a degree in business administration from California State University, Fresno.
Early Political Career
Chavez-DeRemer began her political career in Happy Valley, Oregon. She was elected to the city council there in 2004. In 2010, she became the mayor of Happy Valley and was reelected in 2014. She served as mayor until 2018.
In 2016 and 2018, she ran for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives. She ran for District 51 both times but lost to Janelle Bynum.
U.S. House of Representatives
A U.S. Representative is a person elected to speak for their district in the United States Congress. They help make laws for the country.
Elections for Congress
2022 Election
Chavez-DeRemer won the Republican primary election in May 2022. She ran for Oregon's 5th congressional district. This district had changed a lot after new maps were drawn. She won the general election on November 8, defeating Jamie McLeod-Skinner. It's important to know that members of the U.S. House must live in their state, but not necessarily in the exact district they represent.
2024 Election
Chavez-DeRemer ran for reelection in 2024. She ran against Janelle Bynum, who is a Democrat. This election was one of the most watched in the U.S. House. However, Chavez-DeRemer lost the election to Bynum.
Committee Work
While in the House, Chavez-DeRemer worked on several important committees:
- Committee on Agriculture (focused on farming and food)
- Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development
- Subcommittee on Forestry
- Committee on Education and the Workforce (focused on schools and jobs)
- Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment
- Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (focused on roads, bridges, and travel)
- Subcommittee on Aviation
- Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
Groups She Joined
Chavez-DeRemer was part of several groups in Congress, called caucuses:
- Climate Solutions Caucus
- Congressional Hispanic Conference
- Congressional Western Caucus
- Republican Main Street Partnership
- Republican Governance Group
- Problem Solvers Caucus
Secretary of Labor (2025–Present)
The United States Secretary of Labor leads the U.S. Department of Labor. This department works to improve working conditions and protect workers' rights.
Becoming Secretary
On November 22, 2024, President Donald Trump nominated Chavez-DeRemer to be his Secretary of Labor. She spoke before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in February 2025. Senators asked her about the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). She had supported this act before. During the hearing, she said she no longer supported parts of the act that would change state "right to work" laws. The committee approved her nomination. The full U.S. Senate confirmed her on March 10, 2025, with a vote of 67 to 32.
Her Time in Office
Lori Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the 30th United States Secretary of Labor on March 11, 2025.
Political Views
The New York Times newspaper has described Chavez-DeRemer as a "mainstream Republican." She often presents herself as someone who thinks independently.
She voted to support Israel after the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Chavez-DeRemer was one of six Republicans who signed a letter promising to respect the results of the 2024 United States presidential election.
She also supported the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. This act would give more power to unions that represent public sector workers.
Chavez-DeRemer was the only Republican in Congress to co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). This act aims to give workers more advantages when they organize or join unions and bargain with employers. It also weakens state "right-to-work" laws. Her support for this act led to her being backed by Teamsters President Sean O'Brien for the Secretary of Labor position. However, some business groups were against her nomination because of her stance on the PRO Act.
Personal Life
Lori Chavez-DeRemer is married to Shawn DeRemer, who is an anesthesiologist. They have two children. The family lives in Happy Valley, Oregon.
Chavez-DeRemer is Roman Catholic.
See Also
