Opponents also seized on multiple news reports that Puzder had been accused by Lisa Fierstein, his first wife, of domestic abuse. Puzder denied the allegations. Fierstein, in a Jan. 18 letter to lawmakers, said that she had made such allegations against Puzder but later withdrew them, saying “Andy is not and was not abusive or violent.”
Oprah Winfrey Show
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine -- one of those who expressed doubts about Puzder earlier this week -- said she had viewed an episode of Oprah Winfrey’s talk show dealing with domestic violence in which Fierstein appeared. "I am reviewing the other information that has come to light and I’m sure all of this has been explored thoroughly," Collins said at the time.
Puzder had agreed to divest an ownership stake worth as much as $50 million in his closely held fast-food company if he was confirmed as the next labor secretary, according to his federal financial disclosure and ethics agreement.
Democrats sharply criticized Puzder’s nomination, as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said he "is so anti-working people that it’s appalling."
Puzder opposes efforts to raise the minimum wage. He also has written that legal immigration was an asset to the nation and that it would be unworkable to deport the 11 million undocumented people in the U.S., as Trump promised repeatedly during his campaign.
But he also said Trump’s proposals to build a border wall, stiffen enforcement and defund cities that provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants were reasonable.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.