EMILYs List Reacts to Andy Puzder’s Withdrawal from Secretary of Labor Nomination

February 15, 2017

EMILYs List Reacts to Andy Puzder’s Withdrawal from Secretary of Labor Nomination

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Andy Puzder, President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of labor, withdrew himself from consideration for the Cabinet position. In response, Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILYs List, released the following statement:

“Today is a victory for workers across the country. Andy Puzder, who made millions by exploiting women and hardworking Americans, was unqualified for this position from the start. Women, who make up the majority of low-income workers – a group that especially depends on the Department of Labor to protect their rights in the workplace – deserve far better. We urge President Trump to nominate a candidate who supports the popular, commonsense labor policies that help women workers and their families, such as raising the minimum wage, ensuring paid family and medical leave, ending sexual harassment in the workplace, and defending strong unions. Women are the backbone of today’s labor movement, and they will continue to fight back against any nominee whose anti-labor positions mirror Puzder’s.”

EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $500 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates – making them one of the most successful political organizations ever. Our grassroots community of over five million members helps Democratic women wage competitive campaigns – and win. We recruit and train candidates, support strong campaigns, research the issues that impact women and families, and turn out women voters. Since our founding in 1985, we have trained nearly 10,000 women to run and helped elect 116 women to the House, 23 to the Senate, 12 governors, and over 800 to state and local office. Forty percent of the candidates EMILYs List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color – including every single Latina, African American, and Asian American Democratic congresswoman currently serving.