Skip to main content

Ahead of Tomorrow's Confirmation Hearing, Is Labor Secretary Nominee Andy Puzder Out?


Note, as of the time of this post, the below information is what is known in regard to Andy Puzder's nomination for Labor Secretary  This story will likely change within the next few hours.


Tomorrow is scheduled to be the day President Donald Trump's nominee for Labor Secretary, Andy Puzder, has his confirmation hearing before a Senate committee.  However, as of this writing, serious concern had arisen over the viability of the nomination after details emerged about a tape from the Oprah Winfrey show in which Puzder's ex-wife alleged domestic abuse occurred during their marriage.  Even though Puzder's ex-wife has recanted this prior allegation, it has drawn additional unwanted attention to the nomination.  

Word leaked earlier this morning that there are already several firm 'no' votes among Republican Senators in regard to Puzder's nomination.  In fact, there are apparently enough 'no' votes to sink the nomination entirely.  As a result, pressure has increased this afternoon to have the White House withdraw its nomination of Puzder rather than have Puzder's nomination fall in the Senate.  With no apparent movement from the White House at this point, there is now speculation that Puzder himself will formally withdraw as the nominee (presumably before his confirmation hearing).  It has been reported that Puzder has yet to submit his opening statement ahead of tomorrow's confirmation hearing, which is unusual for a cabinet nominee.  In fact, Fox News reported twenty minutes ago that Puzder is expected to withdraw while the Huffington Post had stated that the White House was expected to withdraw the nomination sometime later today.  Either way, for those hoping to see Puzder become the next Labor Secretary, today has been nothing short of tumultuous.  

This of course begs the question of who President Trump would nominate as the new nominee for Labor Secretary.  For the time being, I will emphasize that Puzder remains the nominee to fill the spot formerly held by Tom Perez (under President Obama) & tomorrow's confirmation hearing is still set.  With that being said, keep an eye posted.  This story will likely eveolve over the next 24 hours...or more likely within the next few hours as more details emerge and/or official announcements are released from the White House or Puzder.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NLRB: Discussion Among Employees About Tip Pooling is Protected Concerted Activity

  This Advice Memorandum from the National Labor Relations Board’s Associate General Counsel, Jayme Sophir, addressed whether employees which discussed and complained about tip pooling at work constituted protected concerted activity. In relevant part, an employer in New York operated a chain of steakhouses.  While tip pooling was in place at these steakhouses, some of the employees objected to it on the grounds that it was not transparent and improperly divided tips among the workers.  Employees were told not to complain or talk to each other about the tip pool and were told that doing so would endanger their jobs.  Despite the employer later attempting to provide some clarity as to how the tips were being divided, rancor still existed among some employees.  At one point, the employees were told by a general manager that some employees that had been talking about the tip pool were “cleared out” and the employer would continue to do so. In the Advice Memorandum,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Breaking: Labor Secretary Rumored to Be Leaving Administration

A few hours ago, word leaked out that Labor Secretary Marty Walsh (“Walsh”) is in the midst of negotiations to head up the NHL Players Union and leave his position at the Labor Department. Walsh, who has served as the sole Labor Secretary under President Biden, has taken part in a labor renaissance of sorts as support for organized labor has increased during his term as Labor Secretary (although the number of workers that have joined a union over the past two years has not grown as mush as some expected.)  He has also overseen the ongoing negotiations with rail workers over a new contract, although that matter is still on shaky ground and playing out as we speak. As for who might step into the vacant Labor Secretary role, there are already rumblings that President Biden should nominate Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su (a strong labor advocate) or even a progressive like Senator Bernie Sanders.  Until Walsh officially gives his notice, however, I would expect some/many potential...
Post a Comment
Read more

San Diego Rolls Back Vaccine Mandate For City Workers

Last Tuesday, the San Diego City Council voted to do away with the vaccine mandate for city employees. The city’s vaccine mandate that was in place required city workers to get the coronavirus vaccine or risk termination.  Perhaps to this surprise of no one, the city’s policy came under fire with 14 employees being terminated and over 100 other employees resigning.  With the coronavirus subsiding, including in Southern California, the San Diego City Council took action. Now, bear in mind, the repeal of the vaccine mandate does not take place immediately. With that being said, the mandate will be repealed March 8th.  I suppose the question now is, what other cities or regions follow San Diego’s lead? For additional information:   https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-01-24/san-diego-repeals-controversial-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-citing-drop-in-cases-hospitalizations
Post a Comment
Read more