If you've been tracking the headlines lately, you know the Department of Labor has been a bit of a whirlwind. Between acting secretaries and stalled confirmations, it felt like the seat was perpetually warm but never quite filled. That changed in March 2025. Lori Chavez-DeRemer is currently the U.S. Secretary of Labor. She’s the 30th person to hold the title, and honestly, her path to the Cabinet was anything but a straight line.
She stepped into the role after a bipartisan 67-32 Senate vote, which is kind of rare these days. You usually see these confirmations split right down the middle, but Chavez-DeRemer managed to pull support from both sides of the aisle. Why? Mostly because she has this weirdly specific background that appeals to both corporate boardrooms and union halls.
What most people get wrong about who is labor secretary
A lot of folks assume the Labor Secretary is just a mouthpiece for the President’s economic tweets. It's way more than that. This office oversees a $14 billion budget. It's the "policeman" for federal labor laws, ensuring you actually get paid for overtime and that your workplace isn't a deathtrap.
Chavez-DeRemer isn't a lifelong DC insider. She’s a former small business owner from Oregon and was the Mayor of Happy Valley. She's also the daughter of a Teamster. That "daughter of a Teamster" part is huge. It gave her enough "labor street cred" to co-sponsor the PRO Act when she was in Congress—a move that made some of her Republican colleagues pull their hair out.
💡 You might also like: Is Donald Trump Okay? What Most People Get Wrong About the President's 2026 Health Reports
But then she’s also a business owner who started an anesthesia management company with her husband. So, she speaks the language of the "boss" just as well as the "worker." This dual identity is basically the cornerstone of her tenure so far in 2026.
The road to 200 Constitution Avenue
Before she was sworn in, we had a long stretch of "Acting" leadership. Julie Su held the fort for a long time under the previous administration without ever being formally confirmed by the Senate. It was a legal and political mess that lasted years. When the administration changed, the focus shifted toward finding someone who could actually clear the 50-vote hurdle.
Chavez-DeRemer was nominated in early 2025. During her hearings, she had to walk a tightrope. She had to promise to roll back certain regulations that businesses hated while convincing unions she wouldn't leave them in the lurch.
Key milestones in her first year:
- March 10, 2025: Confirmed by the Senate.
- March 11, 2025: Sworn in as the 30th Secretary.
- Late 2025: Launched the "America at Work" tour to push for more apprenticeships.
- January 2026: Oversaw the release of the December jobs report, which showed a private-sector surge.
What is she actually doing in 2026?
Right now, the Labor Department is obsessed with three things: apprenticeships, deregulation, and the "America First" labor policy.
Basically, Chavez-DeRemer is trying to move away from the traditional four-year college degree path. She's been very vocal about how "Registered Apprenticeship Programs" are the future. If you're a welder or a coder, she wants you getting paid while you learn, rather than drowning in student debt.
There's also been a massive shift in how the department handles the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) initiatives. She’s been working to streamline the federal education and labor bureaucracy, which she claims will "return education to the states." It's a polarizing move. Critics say it weakens federal oversight; supporters say it cuts the red tape that prevents people from getting jobs.
The "PRO Act" controversy
You can't talk about who is labor secretary without mentioning her history with the PRO Act (Protecting the Right to Organize Act). This is one of the most pro-union pieces of legislation in decades. Most Republicans hate it. Chavez-DeRemer supported it as a Congresswoman.
Once she became Secretary, she had to answer for that. During her confirmation, she shifted her tone slightly, suggesting that while she supports workers' rights to organize, she also believes in "right-to-work" laws and secret ballot elections. It was a classic political pivot.
Why this matters to you:
- Wages: She oversees the enforcement of the Fair Labor Standards Act. If your boss is "wage-thefting" your tips or OT, her department is the one that sues them.
- Safety: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) reports to her. They’re the ones who decide if your office needs better ventilation or if a construction site is unsafe.
- Pensions: The department protects your 401(k) and retirement benefits from being mismanaged by your company.
Actionable insights: How to interact with the DOL
If you're a worker or a business owner, you shouldn't just know who the secretary is; you should know how to use the department's resources.
- Verify your pay: Use the DOL’s "Timesheet" app to track your hours independently if you think your employer is shortchanging you.
- Report hazards: If you’re being forced to work in 100-degree heat without water, you can file an OSHA complaint anonymously. Under Chavez-DeRemer, there’s been a renewed focus on heat standards.
- Seek training: Look into the "Apprenticeship.gov" portal. It’s been getting a massive influx of funding lately, and there are thousands of open roles that don’t require a degree.
- Stay updated: Follow the official @SecretaryLCD accounts on social media. It’s where they announce "listening tours" and new grant opportunities for local workforce boards.
The Labor Department is currently in a state of high-speed transition. With the push toward manufacturing jobs and "putting the American worker first," the office has become a central hub for the 2026 economic agenda. Whether you agree with her politics or not, Lori Chavez-DeRemer is arguably one of the most influential people in your daily work life right now.