Article Summary –
Donald Trump campaigned on promises to support working families and reduce consumer costs, yet has appointed individuals to his administration with records of voting against pro-labor and pro-consumer measures, according to an AFL-CIO scorecard. The selected appointees, including Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, consistently voted against initiatives such as the Affordable Care Act, the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which aimed to support workers’ rights and healthcare accessibility. Furthermore, none of Trump’s appointees co-sponsored legislation to exempt cash tips from federal income taxes, a significant campaign promise to service industry workers.
President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on promises to aid working families and reduce consumer costs. However, those he appointed to his administration have consistently voted against pro-labor and pro-consumer legislation.
“I will protect our WORKERS. I will protect our JOBS,” Trump posted on social media in October, emphasizing his commitment to the nation’s prosperity and security.
Most of Trump’s Cabinet picks have served in Congress and, except for former Hawaii U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, have generally opposed working-class interests, according to the AFL-CIO scorecard, which evaluates votes on issues like Social Security, union rights, and workplace safety.
The selections include:
- Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer for secretary of labor
The one-term lawmaker, who lost reelection, voted with labor 10% of the time. - Former Georgia Rep. Doug Collins for secretary of veterans affairs
In four terms, Collins aligned with labor 13% of the time. - Former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy for secretary of transportation
Duffy voted with labor 20% of the time during his nearly four terms. - Former South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem for secretary of homeland security
Before becoming governor, Noem voted with labor 8% in her four House terms. - Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state
Rubio, reelected in 2022, voted with labor 11% of the time. - New York Rep. Elise Stefanik for ambassador to the United Nations
Stefanik, House Republican Conference chair, voted with labor 34%, dropping to 10% after joining GOP leadership in 2021. - Florida Rep. Michael Waltz for national security adviser
Waltz, reelected to a fourth term, voted with labor 16% of the time. - Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin for EPA administrator
In four terms, Zeldin voted with labor 30% of the time.
Trump’s initial attorney general pick, Matt Gaetz, had a lifetime AFL-CIO score of 15%. He withdrew amid misconduct allegations.
All lawmakers opposed Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. They voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, risking health coverage for 23 million Americans.
No current Congress member selected by Trump co-sponsored bills to exempt cash tips from taxes, despite Trump’s pledge to service workers.
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