Lori Chavez-DeRemer looks to “put the American Worker First.”
By Andrew Carlo
The International Franchise Association (IFA) is backing Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation as the new U.S. Secretary of Labor.
Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 67-32 vote on March 10. The secretary previously served as a U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District from 2023 to 2025.
Michael Layman, IFA chief advocacy officer, issued a statement following Chavez-DeRemer’s bipartisan confirmation.
“We congratulate Lori Chavez-DeRemer on her confirmation as Labor Secretary and look forward to her building an environment that will support the growth of franchised small businesses and their millions of employees.” Layman said. “Her overwhelming bipartisan support reflects a shared commitment to policies that empower small business owners and strengthen America’s workforce. The franchise business model is key to the nation’s economic growth, and Chavez-DeRemer is the right leader to ensure it is protected and strengthened to continue generating opportunity for all.”
The IFA notes that as U.S. Representative Chavez-DeRemer worked across party lines to support small businesses, including voting to repeal the Biden administration’s expanded joint employer rule, which would have threatened the existence of the franchise business model. Chavez-DeRemer reaffirmed her commitment to support franchised businesses.
Additionally, IFA President and CEO Matt Haller penned an op-ed in the Washington Reporter last week urging the Senate to support Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation.
“When the future of Main Street franchises was on the line, Lori Chavez-DeRemer stood with the 830,000 franchised small businesses and their 9 million employees,” Haller wrote in the editorial. “That’s why we have her back now and believe she is the right person to enable the franchise business model to reach even new heights.”
Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the 30th Secretary of Labor on March 11.
“I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to continue serving my country, and I’ll work tirelessly to help President Trump put the American Worker First,” Chavez-DeRemer said in a prepared statement. “This administration has a clear mandate to renew the American Dream for hardworking men and women across the country.”
“As a small businesswoman and the daughter of a Teamster, I will act on my experience and work with business and labor to support good-paying jobs, grow our economy, and ensure every American can enjoy a comfortable retirement,” said Chavez-DeRemer. “As we strive to create a new golden age of prosperity, I’m ready to team up with all those committed to fighting for the American Worker. Together, under the leadership of President Trump, we will Make America Work Again.”
When nominating Chavez-DeRemer on Nov. 22, 2024, Trump said that he looks forward to “working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American workers, to expand training and apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our manufacturing jobs.”
