Washington, DC – Today, fast food executive Andrew Puzder was announced as President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who, as a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, will participate in Labor Secretary confirmation hearings, released the following statement about the selection:
“The role of our Labor Department is to protect workers’ health, safety, and financial wellbeing in a rapidly changing economy. In the Obama Administration, the Department put out rules to protect Rhode Islanders’ retirement savings and ensure that workers are entitled to the overtime they deserve. Andrew Puzder has shown little regard for the mission of the Department of Labor and the people it serves, and he seems eager to roll back these important rules. During his confirmation hearings, I want to learn whether he understands the challenges working families in Rhode Island face: from providing the basics for their family like food and housing, to securing quality health care, to standing up for their rights as workers against big corporations. He must demonstrate to me a respect for Rhode Island workers’ wages, rights, and dignity.”
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