Republican senators have withdrawn their support for Labor Secretary nominee Andrew Puzder after he admitted to hiring an undocumented immigrant as his housekeeper, Law Newz reported.
Per sources, Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Tim Scott, and Johnny Isakson have all said they will not support Puzder, a chief executive of Hardee's parent company, because of all the hiccups ahead of his confirmation hearing.
Collins, though, issued a statement, saying she has not decided on her support.
"I have not reached a decision," she said, per the Portland Press Herald. "I almost always wait until there is a hearing, unless I know the individual well. I've had two conversations with Mr. Puzder. I think there are outstanding questions that I'm sure will be delved into at his hearing."
Puzder said in a statement Feb. 6 he and his wife had employed a housekeeper for three years but didn't know she was in the U.S. illegally.
"When I learned of her status, we immediately ended her employment and offered her assistance in getting legal status," he said. "We have fully paid back taxes to the IRS and the State of California."
Puzder's confirmation hearing had been delayed several times as he worked to remove himself from his role as executive of CKE Restaurants, a position he has been in since 2000. He is now set to go before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Feb. 16, USA Today reported. President Donald Trump picked him in December to be the new Labor Secretary.