President Trump’s choice for labor secretary withdrew his nomination Wednesday after it became clear he didn’t have the votes to win confirmation in the Senate.
Andrew Puzder said in a statement that he was “honored to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor and put America’s workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity.”
He added: “While I won’t be serving in the administration, I fully support the President and his highly qualified team.”
Before his withdrawal, GOP leaders were urging the White house to pull the nomination when four Republicans said they would cast no votes and as many as 12 were ready to bolt, according to CNN.
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Puzder, the CEO of the company that owns the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. fast food chains, was scheduled to appear at his final confirmation hearing at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday.
Puzder needed at least 50 votes to assume the labor post, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the 51st and deciding vote.
But Republicans only control 52 seats in the Senate, so four defections would have doomed his nomination since all 48 Democrats opposed him.
Puzder faced fierce opposition from Democrats because, among other issues, he opposed a minimum wage increase and employed an undocumented housekeeper.
Allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife from 30 years ago also surfaced when a videotape of her appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show surfaced.
Lisa Fierstein, who was married to Puzder from 1973 to 1987, appeared on a segment about “High-Class Battered Women” and said he physically abused her.
She later withdrew the allegation. Puzder has consistently denied the claim.
Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Tim Scott of South Carolina and Johnny Isakson of George had told GOP leaders they will not vote for Puzder, CNN said.
Murkowski and Collins also withheld their support for Trump’s choice of Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary. She eventually won confirmation after Pence cast his vote to break a 50-50 tie.
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