Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin backs Chavez-DeRemer for labor secretary, highlights union ties

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin introduced labor secretary nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer at her confirmation hearing Wednesday, emphasizing her ability to bridge the gap between businesses and workers.

Mullin makes case for confirmation

As a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), Mullin went beyond questioning Chavez-DeRemer, delivering the opening statement in support of her nomination.

"With Lori's unique background as a small business owner, public servant, and through her relationship with union leaders, she has the ability to bridge the gap between businesses and workers," Mullin said.

From confrontation to collaboration

Mullin revealed that he played a role in recommending Chavez-DeRemer to former President Donald Trump, alongside an unexpected ally—Teamsters President Sean O'Brien.

The two were involved in a heated exchange during a HELP Committee hearing on Nov. 14, 2023.

"You wanna do it now? I'd love to do it right now. Well, stand your butt up then—" the two shouted at each other before being interrupted.

Despite the clash, Mullin said they became friendly before O'Brien spoke at the Republican National Convention last summer.

"Sean and I literally probably talk every week right now," Mullin said.

Recognizing his gains with union voters in November, Trump tasked Mullin and O'Brien with recommending a labor secretary.

A compromise pick?

Mullin said O'Brien suggested Chavez-DeRemer and the two took the recommendation to Trump.

"He suggested Lori. So we both went to the president, talked to him about it, and he says, ‘Listen, if you guys agree with it, then we can—that's something that we can work with,’" Mullin said.

Chavez-DeRemer, a one-term congresswoman from Oregon who lost her reelection bid in November, has ties to organized labor and experience as a business owner. Mullin believes she represents a middle ground.

"Where it says, one, we appreciate the union support. We're going to work with you. At the same time, she's still a Republican, so she still leans on the conservative side on some other issues," he said.

Democrats appreciate Chavez-DeRemer's pro-union record but worry her stance could shift in the role.

Tracking Trump’s Cabinet Picks

Updated (as of 2/19/25) tracking of the confirmations of President Trump’s cabinet nominees (in alphabetical order):

(✅- candidate has been confirmed)

✅Nominee: Scott Bessent

Position: Secretary of Treasury 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 16-11

Confirmation vote: 68-29

--

✅Nominee: Pam Bondi

Position: Attorney General 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 12-10

Confirmation vote: 54-46

 --

✅Nominee: Doug Burgum

Position: Secretary of Interior 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 18-2

Confirmation vote: 79-18

 --

Nominee: Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Position: Labor Secretary 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: TBD

Confirmation vote: TBD

 --

✅Nominee: Doug Collins

Position: Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 18-1

Confirmation vote: 77-23

 --

✅Nominee: Sean Duffy

Position: Secretary of Transportation 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 28-0

Confirmation vote: 77-22

 --

✅ Nominee: Tulsi Gabbard

Position: Director of National Intelligence 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 9-8

Confirmation vote: 52-48

 --

Nominee: Jamieson Greer 

Position: US Trade Representative 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 15-12

Confirmation vote: TBD

 --

✅Nominee: Pete Hegseth

Position: Secretary of Defense 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 14-13

Confirmation vote: 51-50

 --

✅ Nominee: Robert F Kennedy, Jr

Position: Secretary of Health & Human Services 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 14-13

Confirmation vote: 52-48

 --

✅ Nominee: Kelly Loeffler

Position: Administrator of Small Business Administration 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 12-7

Confirmation vote: 52-46

 --

✅ Nominee: Howard Lutnick

Position: Commerce Secretary 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 16-12

Confirmation vote: 51-45

 --

Nominee: Linda McMahon

Position: Education Secretary 

Hearing? Scheduled for 2/13

Committee vote: scheduled for 2/20

Confirmation vote: TBD

 --

✅Nominee: Kristi Noem

Position: Secretary of Homeland Security

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 13-2

Confirmation vote: 59-34

 --

Nominee: Kash Patel

Position: FBI Director 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 12-10

Confirmation vote: scheduled for 2/20

 --

✅Nominee: John Ratcliffe

Position: CIA Director 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 14-3

Confirmation vote: 74-25

 --

✅ Nominee: Brooke Rollins

Position: Secretary of Agriculture 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 23-0

Confirmation vote: 72-28

 --

✅ Nominee: Marco Rubio

Position: Secretary of State

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 22-0

Confirmation vote: 99-0

 --

Nominee: Elise Stefanik

Position: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: approved by voice vote

Confirmation vote: TBD

 --

✅Nominee: Scott Turner

Position: Housing and Urban Development Secretary 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 13-11

Confirmation vote: 55-44

 --

✅Nominee: Russell Vought

Position: Office of Management and Budget Director 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 8-7

Confirmation vote: 53-47

 --

✅Nominee: Chris Wright

Position: Energy Secretary 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 15-5

Confirmation vote: 50-38

 --

✅Nominee: Lee Zeldin

Position: EPA Administrator 

Hearing? Yes

Committee vote: 11-8

Confirmation vote: 56-42