Bill McMorris of the Washington Free Beacon details a recent boost for President Trump’s choice for U.S. labor secretary.
Leaders from a coalition of free market think tanks urged a swift confirmation of President Donald Trump’s proposed labor secretary to resolve uncertainty among U.S. businesses.
Trump nominated Andrew Puzder to lead the Department of Labor in December, but his confirmation has been pushed back twice amid delays in filing his disclosure forms and other paperwork issues.
The nomination has also inspired intense opposition from union leaders and their allies. Puzder is CEO of CKE Restaurants, the parent company of fast-food chains Carl’s Jr. and Hardees, and if confirmed he would be the first career businessman to lead the department since Ronald Reagan appointed construction executive Ray Donovan in 1981.
The coalition of leading policy experts of conservative, libertarian, and free market organizations sent a letter endorsing Puzder to members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on Monday morning. The groups said that he would bring a fresh perspective to the department after eight years of leadership from former Democratic Congresswoman Hilda Solis and former Maryland labor regulator Tom Perez.
“As a longtime successful businessman and employer, Puzder understands what it takes to get Americans working again. We believe a change of labor policy at the federal level is crucial to encourage job creation and spur economic growth,” the letter says. “Andrew Puzder would bring a welcome, fresh perspective to the U.S. Labor Department that our country needs.”