Mitch McConnell, the former Senate Republican Leader from Kentucky, was among three Senate Republicans who opposed former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), President Trump’s pick for the Labor Department leadership role. McConnell criticized Chavez-DeRemer for her support of policies that he believes compel hardworking Americans to join unions.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former House GOP member from Washington state, marks the fourth prominent Trump nominee that McConnell has voted against. He had previously opposed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In a statement, McConnell emphasized the need for change after what he described as four years of economic hardships under what he called the “most pro-union administration in American history.” He expressed concerns about Chavez-DeRemer’s stances on union membership and urged her to prioritize the interests of working families over union leadership.
McConnell highlighted the importance of personal choice in joining a union, citing Kentucky’s “right-to-work” law as an example. He encouraged Chavez-DeRemer to empower American workers to make their own decisions regarding union membership.
Alongside McConnell, Republican Senators Ted Budd (N.C.) and Rand Paul (Ky.) also voted against Chavez-DeRemer. Despite some opposition, the Senate ultimately confirmed her appointment on Monday with a 67 to 32 vote, with significant Democratic support.
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