Andy Puzder resigns as Labor Secretary Nominee
By Alex Lloyd Gross
Andy Puzder The man who President Donald Trump nominated for secretary of labor has withdrawn his name for consideration. An opponent of anything more than a small increase to the $7.25 per hour minimum wage, Puzder was in the target of many labor groups and workers. His thoughts that these workers don'[t want any increase because otherwise they will lose their SNAP or other federal benefits was ludicrous. When people make more money, the no longer need a government handout,
The writing was on the wall against him right from the start of the nomination process. It heated up with a video of his ex wife on Oprah Winfrey alleging abuse. She since recanted those statements. Puzder needed 50 votes. If he got those vote, Mike Pence, the Vice president, would cast the tie breaking vote and Puzder would be confirmed. No less than 12 republican senators broke ranks with their party and said they would not confirm him. Still, Puzder did not even try to sway them with his ideas and explanations. He quit before his hearing was scheduled to begin tomorrow.
His website went dark as of 4:00 PM with the exception of the statement which reads:
“After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labor. I am 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. I want thank President Trump for his nomination. I also thank my family and my many supporters—employees, businesses, friends and people who have voiced their praise and hopeful optimism for the policies and new thinking I would have brought to America as Secretary of Labor. While I won’t be serving in the administration, I fully support the President and his highly qualified team.” – Andy Puzder