New Ad Calls on Sen. Collins to Reject Trump’s Labor Nominee
National Version | Murkowski Version
With Puzder’s Nomination on the Ropes, Confirmation Hearing Scheduled for Thursday–Ad Begins Airing Wednesday in Maine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Allied Progress launched a targeted television ad buy calling on Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to reject President Trump’s nomination of Andy Puzder for Labor Secretary. The ad is part of a six-figure, paid advertising effort against Trump’s economic nominees. In addition to Maine, the ad will also run in Alaska and in our nation’s capital on MSNBC’s Morning Joe and Fox News’ Fox & Friends.
Senator Collins sits on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee that oversees Puzder’s nomination. Collins has already voiced concerns with Puzder’s record and her vote will help determine whether his nomination is ultimately successful. After five unexplained postponements, the HELP Committee will hold its first confirmation hearing for Puzder this Thursday, February 16th.
The ad, entitled “Terrible,” highlights how as a fast-food executive, Puzder oversaw a company that put profit before its workers. It notes that on Puzder’s watch the company spent millions to settle lawsuits for wage theft and instilled a culture where many female workers were sexually harassed and even assaulted.
“Andrew Puzder called his fast food workers ‘the worst of the worst,’ but the fact is he’s the one with a terrible record. While his workers helped make Puzder millions, he oversaw a workplace culture where sexual harassment and assault against women were rampant,” said Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress.
He continued, “Now Donald Trump wants to put Puzder in charge of overseeing all workplace issues for the rest of us. It’s no surprise that Senator Collins has concerns with Puzder’s nomination. The ball’s in her court to hold the Trump Administration to the high standard that her constituents deserve and reject Andrew Puzder.”
More than two months ago, Trump nominated Puzder as his choice to lead the Department of Labor. Since then, Republicans have delayed his hearing five times amid rumors that he no longer wants the job, allegations of domestic abuse and mistreatment of workers. While it has been widely reported that the Trump team did not fully vet their nominees before announcing them, Allied Progress’ Trump Transparency Project spent the past two months doing its own vetting of Puzder and released its vetting profile on Puzder last week.
To speak with Karl Frisch about the Puzder nomination please contact Jon Reinish at 202-999-0461 or JReinish@SKDKnick.com.
“Terrible” – 30 Seconds – Script
“Fast food CEO Andrew Puzder called his employees ‘the worst of the worst.’ But it’s his own record that’s really terrible. His company has paid millions in settlements for wage theft. And a report showed 66 percent of female employees were sexually harassed. Many were even sexually assaulted. Now Trump wants Puzder to be our Labor Secretary? That won’t work for us. Tell Senator Collins to vote NO on Puzder.” On screen, the ad encourages viewers to call 207-780-3575 or visit OpposePuzder.org.
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Allied Progress is a nationwide, progressive advocacy organization that uses hard-hitting research and creative campaigns to hold Wall Street and powerful special interests accountable. Since launching in 2015, the organization has led high-profile campaigns on several issues including reforming the payday lending industry and exposing the those working to cripple the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).