Esther Ritchin is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentary, Trump’s picks face Senate confirmation hearings, including Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary and Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary.
As many of Trump’s cabinet picks face questioning in Senate confirmation hearings, Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination for Labor Secretary stands out as less objectionable than his other choices. Professors Sharon Block and Benjamin Sachs examine Chavez-DeRemer’s track record and the implications of her nomination. While Trump has yet to make many appointments crucial to the fate of the labor movements, such as members of the NLRB, Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination indicates the possibility of bipartisan collaboration. However, Chavez-DeRemer has not had a consistently pro-labor message. As one reporter described, “[a] spokesperson for the Trump transition, Aly Beley, told me that Chavez-DeRemer no longer supports the PRO Act—a major shift that will disappoint Democrats but might help her secure the GOP support she needs to win confirmation.” And, as Block and Sachs warn, “the Republican vision for American labor policy is based on exclusion; the progressive vision is based on inclusion.”
During his confirmation hearing, Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, expressed opposition to raising the federal minimum wage. Facing questioning from Senator Bernie Sanders, Bessent expressed that he believed minimum wage was a state and regional issue. Bessent also defended tariffs and extending tax cuts.
Daily News & Commentary
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January 20
In today’s news and commentary, SEIU advocates for a wealth tax, the DOL gets a budget increase, and the NLRB struggles with its workforce. The SEIU United Healthcare Workers West is advancing a California ballot initiative to impose a one-time 5% tax on personal wealth above $1 billion, aiming to raise funds for the state’s […]
January 19
Department of Education pauses wage garnishment; Valero Energy announces layoffs; Labor Department wins back wages for healthcare workers.
January 18
Met Museum workers unionize; a new report reveals a $0.76 average tip for gig workers in NYC; and U.S. workers receive the smallest share of capital since 1947.
January 16
The NLRB publishes its first decision since regaining a quorum; Minneapolis labor unions call for a general strike in response to the ICE killing of Renee Good; federal workers rally in DC to show support for the Protecting America’s Workforce Act.
January 15
New investigation into the Secretary of Labor; New Jersey bill to protect child content creators; NIOSH reinstates hundreds of employees.
January 14
The Supreme Court will not review its opt-in test in ADEA cases in an age discrimination and federal wage law violation case; the Fifth Circuit rules that a jury will determine whether Enterprise Products unfairly terminated a Black truck driver; and an employee at Berry Global Inc. will receive a trial after being fired for requesting medical leave for a disability-related injury.