Labor Secretary Nominee Puzder Withdraws from Consideration

Update:  President Trump has nominated R. Alexander Acosta for Labor Secretary following the withdrawal of Andrew Puzder.  Mr. Acosta is a former United States Attorney and served as Commissioner on the National Labor Relations Board during the George W. Bush Administration.  He is currently Dean of Florida International University Law School.

Original Post:

President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Labor Andrew Puzder has withdrawn from consideration from the position. In a written statement, Mr. Puzder said:

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 to 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.

Mr. Puzder, who serves as CEO of fast food chains Hardee's and Carl's Jr., had strong support from business organizations but faced stiff opposition from Congressional Democrats and labor organizations. The Administration has not yet indicated who may now be in consideration for this cabinet position.