Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (I-Vt.) on Wednesday welcomed reports that Andrew Puzder will withdraw from consideration to be President Trump's secretary of Labor.



"I am glad Mr. Puzder will withdraw his name from consideration to be the next labor secretary," Sanders said in a statement.



"The simple truth is that given his relationship to employees at the companies he runs, he was not fit to lead a department responsible for defending workers’ rights," he added.



ADVERTISEMENT

Puzder has not confirmed reports that he is withdrawing his nomination.

Sanders and other top Democrats have strongly opposed Puzder's nomination, criticizing the fast-food CEO's experience and his policy positions."We need a secretary of labor who is going to fight to raise the minimum wage to a living wage of $15 an hour and pay equity for women. We don’t need a labor secretary who makes millions while his workers are paid starvation wages," Sanders said.At least four and as many as 12 Senate Republicans were planning to vote against Puzder's nomination, CNN reported on Wednesday.The new flurry of opposition comes in the wake of a growing controversy about Puzder hiring an undocumented immigrant housekeeper.