NRMCA Supports Department of Labor Nominee

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is expected to begin confirmation hearings on Thursday, February 16, for Andy Puzder, President Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Labor. Mr. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, which owns Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., has a solid track record as being a job creator, employing 75,000 workers through CKE Restaurants. Mr. Puzder has also been an outspoken critic of government regulation and a great advocate for the importance of the federal government getting out of the way to let private enterprise create jobs. When the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued their joint-employer ruling, Mr. Puzder took to the opinion page of The Wall Street Journal to criticize the NLRB decision.

If confirmed, Mr. Puzder will oversee the Department of Labor at a time when President Trump will make two appointments to the NLRB, and will no doubt rely on Mr. Puzder’s recommendations and input. Having a free market advocate like Andy Puzder at the head of the Labor Department is a priority for the ready mixed concrete industry. In addition, the Senate is expected to vote this week to confirm Scott Pruitt for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Pruitt was approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in early February.

NRMCA has actively advocated for both nominees, joining coalitions from the concrete industry in sending letters to the respective Senate committees and Senate leadership, as well as sending letters of our own. These letters demonstrate support for the nominees and are used during committee and floor debate by the nominees’ supporters, frequently read aloud and entered into the record as evidence of support.