Taxpayers have footed a hefty $98,650 bill to settle an employment discrimination claim tied to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s old congressional office.
The New York Post reported that documents and an annual report from the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) confirm the nearly $100,000 payout in 2025, linked to a complaint alleging a violation of federal anti-discrimination laws covering race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
The OCWR report names the “Office of Congresswoman Lori Chavez DeRemer” as the sole House office to settle such a claim in 2025. Chavez-DeRemer, who represented Oregon’s 5th District from January 2023 to January 2025, left Congress to join President Trump’s Cabinet as Labor Secretary.
The issue has sparked debate over accountability in public offices, especially when taxpayer dollars are used to resolve workplace disputes. While the exact nature of the allegation remains unclear, along with whether Chavez-DeRemer herself was directly implicated, the settlement—reportedly the largest from a House office since at least 2019—raises questions about oversight.
According to Roll Call, this $98,650 payment, disbursed by the Treasury Department, stands out as a significant sum for a congressional office claim. The lack of specifics about the complaint or its timing only fuels curiosity about what transpired under Chavez-DeRemer’s watch during her House tenure.
While the Labor Department did not respond to inquiries about this matter, the settlement adds another layer of scrutiny to Chavez-DeRemer’s record. It’s worth asking why such a substantial amount was needed to close this case if the allegations were not severe.
Public funds should not be a blank check for settling disputes without transparency. If taxpayers are on the hook, they deserve to know what went wrong and how it’s being addressed.
Beyond this settlement, Chavez-DeRemer faces separate investigations by the Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General over unrelated allegations. These include claims of abusing her position through an inappropriate relationship with a security detail member and taking subordinates to a strip club in Oregon shortly after her Senate confirmation.
Additional accusations point to drinking in her office during work hours and alleged travel fraud, with claims that her chief of staff, Jihun Han, and deputy chief of staff, Rebecca Wright, fabricated official trips for personal gain. Both staffers, along with a security staffer, have been placed on administrative leave amid the probes.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has also launched its own investigation into these matters, signaling that the concerns are not being taken lightly. When leaders are accused of misusing authority, it erodes trust in the very institutions meant to serve the public.
Despite the mounting allegations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has voiced backing for Chavez-DeRemer. Leavitt stated that the administration is “aware of the internal investigation, and he stands by the secretary, and he thinks that she’s doing a tremendous job at the Department of Labor on behalf of American workers.”
Such unwavering support might reassure some, but it risks looking tone-deaf to those who see a pattern of questionable behavior. If the allegations hold weight, standing by without demanding answers could undermine the administration’s credibility on accountability.
American workers deserve a Labor Secretary whose focus is squarely on their needs, not on personal controversies or workplace disputes settled with public money. The White House’s confidence is noted, but it doesn’t erase the need for a full accounting of these incidents.
While the discrimination settlement and ongoing investigations paint a troubling picture, it’s important to remember that not all accusations have been proven. Chavez-DeRemer’s direct involvement in the congressional office claim remains unclear, and she deserves the chance to respond to the separate allegations at the Labor Department.
Still, when taxpayer dollars are spent, and public trust is at stake, the bar for transparency must be high. These incidents, taken together, suggest a need for stronger oversight of how elected officials and appointees manage their offices and conduct themselves.
