Trump's labor nominee once worked at Planned Parenthood, risking further GOP ire
Labor secretary nominee former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer listed on her questionnaire for a Senate committee that she worked at a Planned Parenthood clinic when she was in her early 20s.
President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary, former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., listed on her questionnaire for a Senate committee that she worked at a Planned Parenthood clinic when she was in her early 20s, according to a copy of the document reviewed by NBC News, although she also made it clear to senators she does not “personally” support abortion.
Chavez-DeRemer said on the form to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which will process her nomination, that she worked at the front desk of a Planned Parenthood clinic in California from January 1989 to May 1990. Her confirmation hearing had initially been scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed until next week because of a snowstorm in Washington.
Chavez-DeRemer has been under fire from some Senate Republicans over her pro-union stances, and it’s likely that she will need to rely on Democratic votes to carry her over the finish line. Her past affiliation with Planned Parenthood — an organization that the GOP has long railed against — could further add to Republican skepticism that her views are not aligned with the party’s on key issues, although no Republican has so far publicly raised her record on abortion as a concern.
Chavez-DeRemer has a “B” scorecard from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, an anti-abortion group.
In her written response to the committee, Chavez-DeRemer addressed her work at Planned Parenthood, saying it was a “brief, part-time job.” She also said she does not support abortion and would not promote pro-abortion-rights policies at the Labor Department if she is confirmed.
Rating: 5