Rand Paul Says He’ll Vote Against Trump’s Labor Secretary Nominee Because ‘She’s Very Pro Labor’
By Charlie Nash | Originally posted on mediaite.com
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) announced on Monday that he would vote against President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
The senator told Fox News Radio correspondent Ryan Schmelz and NBC News senior political reporter Sahil Kapur he would vote “no” on Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation and suggested that the decision came down to her “very pro labor” views.
“I think she’ll lose 15 Republicans and she’ll get 25 Democrats,” he told Schmelz. “I mean, she’s very pro labor. She might get all the Democrats. Who knows.”
Trump nominated Chavez-DeRemer as his secretary of labor in November, championing her record in support of American workers.
“Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success,” he wrote. “Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!”
Pro-business and anti-union groups quickly expressed concern over the nomination, including the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, which said it was “alarmed” by Trump’s decision.
The Wall Street Journal accused Trump of prioritizing “unions over workers,” while Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich urged Republicans in the Senate to “vote this nomination down.”
“A co-sponsor of the Pro-Act as Labor Secretary? Absolutely not,” she declared.
Chavez-Deremer’s nomination was welcomed by Democrats and by the Teamsters union, however.
“Lori Chavez-DeRemer has been a champion for the American worker and will be the same as Labor Secretary,” said the Teamsters in a statement. “During her time in Congress, Chavez-DeRemer defended UPS workers’ right to strike and fought to protect the right to organize, raise working standards, and keep jobs from being shipped overseas.”
