Cleveland-native Andy Puzder -- one of the last and most controversial of President Trump’s cabinet choices -- is set for a Senate committee hearing Thursday. And Ohio’s Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman says he’s not yet made up his mind how he’ll vote on the Labor nominee.
Puzder’s come under fire on policy and personal issues, including workplace violations at his Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. restaurants, his opposition to wage regulations, highly sexualized hamburger ads, hiring an undocumented worker and allegations of domestic abuse.
Portman says he’ll be listening to Puzder’s answers as he did before he decided to vote for other controversial picks, including Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and, this week, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
“Mnuchin, who has got a background in industry and banking and, you know, finance industry, I didn’t support him until I got answers to questions on some things I had with him, including trade enforcement where I think he’s going to be helpful in terms of going after currency manipulation.”
Four other Republican senators – who all sit on the committee considering Puzder’s nomination -- have expressed reservations about his nomination.
