Two more Republican senators say they won’t decide whether to support President Donald Trump’s labor secretary nominee until after his confirmation hearing on Thursday.
Andrew Puzder is set to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for his long-delayed confirmation hearing to lead the Labor Department. The restaurant executive had faced weeks of questions about his nomination amid a delayed review of his vast personal wealth, details of a rancorous divorce more than 25 years ago and revelations that his family once employed an undocumented immigrant as a housekeeper.
On Tuesday, Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, told reporters that they’re not willing to support Puzder yet and would wait to see how he fares at his hearing. They join four other GOP senators – Susan Collins, Maine, Johnny Isakson, Ga., Lisa Murkowski, Alaska, and Tim Scott, S.C. — in publicly voicing reservations.
Unlike the other four, Portman and Thune don’t sit on the HELP Committee, signaling that concerns with Puzder’s nomination stretch beyond the panel to other members of GOP caucus.
While it’s often customary for senators to not publicly weigh in on a nominee until after a confirmation hearing, Republicans have been mostly in lock-step to support Trump’s top Cabinet nominees. Only one other pick – Rex Tillerson to serve as secretary of state – drew as much public wavering among Republicans ahead of his hearing, when five GOP senators expressed doubts. Ultimately, all of them voted for Tillerson.
Collins and Murkowski also voted against Betsy DeVos, Trump’s choice for education secretary, forcing Vice President Pence to cast a tiebreaking vote to confirm DeVos – the first time a vice president ever had to cast a tiebreaking confirmation vote.
How Andy Puzder’s fast-food industry sticks taxpayers with the cost of supporting its workers Michael Hiltzik
The Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant franchises headed by Andrew Puzder, President Trump’s Labor secretary nominee, are among the nation’s major employers of low-wage workers. As Puzder faces a confirmation hearing scheduled for Feb. 2, it’s proper to examine how much his industry’s employment…
The Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant franchises headed by Andrew Puzder, President Trump’s Labor secretary nominee, are among the nation’s major employers of low-wage workers. As Puzder faces a confirmation hearing scheduled for Feb. 2, it’s proper to examine how much his industry’s employment…
(Michael Hiltzik)
Spokespeople for Thune and Portman didn’t immediately return requests for comment.
Portman represents a state where labor unions have been holding public rallies against Puzder. He won reelection last year with the endorsement of several labor unions, a rare feat these days for a Republican.
Thune is the third-ranking Senate Republican, so his public concerns are notable given that he’s chiefly responsible for whipping support for top GOP priorities.
Despite the public resistance, White House officials and top Republican aides insist the confirmation hearing will proceed as scheduled and that Puzder will be confirmed.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on Tuesday that he still supports Puzder and expects his hearing to proceed as scheduled.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
