The Senate’s Republican leadership is urging President Trump to withdraw the nomination of fast-food businessman Andrew Puzder for labor secretary after four GOP senators said they would oppose his confirmation.
“Top Senate Rs have urged the WH to withdraw Puzder nomination. There are 4 firm no votes and up to 12, source says,” tweeted Manu Raju, CNN senior political correspondent.
It is not clear who the four are, but Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee members Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., have been non-committal about supporting him.
Puzder, an outspoken conservative and chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants that owns the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., franchises, is scheduled to have his first Senate hearing Thursday morning after at least four delays.
“I’m encouraged my Republican colleagues are starting to agree. He does not belong anywhere near the Labor Department, let alone at the head of it,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reacting to the news reports.
“I’ve not heard anything from the committee. Rumors,” George Thompson, Puzder’s spokesman, told the Washington Examiner.
CBS reported that a source close to Puzder said he expected him would withdraw. “He’s very tired of the abuse,” according to the tweet.
Earlier Wednesday, video surfaced of Lisa Fierstein, the ex-wife of Puzder, appearing on a 1990 Oprah Winfrey episode and saying that he was abusive to her during their divorce. Fierstein has since disavowed the appearance on the show and wrote a letter to senators saying that she made up the accusations in a fit of rage and in an effort to gain leverage in their divorce proceedings.
Puzder was a staunch critic of former President Barack Obama‘s efforts to extend the regulatory powers of the Labor Department and other federal agencies. Liberal groups, particularly organized labor, have made stopping his nomination a crusade.
Puzder’s first Senate hearing was delayed at least four times due to committee Democrats raising questions about how he has divested his personal investments. His nomination took another hit when he acknowledged hiring an illegal immigrant as a housekeeper although he said he fired her and paid back taxes when he learned of her status. The delays have sparked rumors that Puzder was reconsidering joining Trump’s Cabinet. Sources close to the nominee, however, told the Washington Examiner that Puzder never requested any of the delays and remains eager to be secretary.
