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U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta has decided to remain in Congress and decline the position of labor secretary in the Cabinet of President-elect Donald Trump.
Barletta, 60, said on Thursday he had discussed the position with Trump’s chief of staff, Reince Priebus. Barletta said the two decided that the Congressman would be of great value to Trump in the House of Representatives.
He had been considering the position for more than a week.
“After much thought, prayer, and discussion with my family and close friends, I decided to remain in Congress and I withdrew from consideration for secretary of labor,” Barletta said. “Because of my involvement in the president-elect’s campaign and my relationship with the incoming administration, I will have an opportunity in the House of Representatives to accomplish more on a variety of issues that I have cared about for so long, including immigration policy, transportation infrastructure and jobs.”
Barletta said that having helped the campaign with the development of those policies, coupled with serving on key committees in Congress and now, having a direct pipeline to the White House, he feels he will be better positioned than ever to serve the people of the 11th District.
Later in the day Thursday, Trump announced his intent to nominate Andy Puzder as his labor secretary. Puzder is chief executive of CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., the parent company of Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.
Puzder has been an opponent of raising the minimum wage, according to Business Insider. He is also a proponent of replacing fast-food workers with automated technology to fight the cost of raising wages, according to the article.
Barletta said he and Trump both see the need to focus on immigration and transportation. He said by remaining in Congress, he can accomplish more with Trump in the White House.
“I have the phone number to call the White House,” Barletta said. “And I was told that when I do call the White House, the phone will be answered.”
Barletta said after taking a week to weigh all of his options, he felt he could do more for the people of his district, for Pennsylvania and for the country by staying in Congress.
“When we talked, I told President-elect Trump that the best way to grow the economy is by improving our infrastructure,” Barletta said. “Now, I will be able to work closely with him and his administration in moving that forward.”
Once Trump takes office, Barletta feels he will then have far more influence than most members of Congress. A former Hazleton city mayor, Barletta represents the 11th Congressional District and serves as a member of the House Homeland Security and the Transportation and Infrastructure committees.
Barletta was re-elected to his fourth term in the House Nov. 8.
Barletta said it was a tremendous honor for him to be considered for not one, but two Cabinet positions — labor and transportation.
“But all that glitters isn’t gold,” Barletta said. “I have a lot of passion for the work I do in Congress. And now I have much more influence than ever with President-elect Trump taking office.”
Barletta said he had discussed several positions, including the job of Secretary of Labor, in a meeting with the president-elect on Nov. 29 at Trump Tower in New York City.
“It was a great pleasure to meet with President-elect Trump to discuss his transition to office and our mutual goal of moving America forward,” Barletta said. “We share many priorities for the future of the country, including protecting and growing American jobs, strengthening national security, enforcing our immigration laws and rejuvenating our crumbling infrastructure system.”
Barletta has been serving on Trump’s Transition Team’s Executive Committee, which has been screening applications for more than 4,000 jobs in the Trump Administration.
Following a one-hour meeting on Nov. 29 at Trump Tower, Barletta said he and Trump discussed the Cabinet position of labor secretary.
Following that meeting, Barletta held a brief meeting with the media in the lobby of Trump Tower, saying he would consider taking a post in the Trump Cabinet.
Barletta said he and Trump “had a good conversation — discussing everything from a top-level Cabinet post to the impressive victory in the Nov. 8 general election and Pennsylvania’s role in that win.
After the meeting with Trump, Barletta said he was going to weigh his options — whether he could help Trump more in his Cabinet, or as a member of Congress. Barletta said his position in the U.S. House of Representatives would be considerably strengthened by having the support of President Trump.
Barletta said the conversation last week at Trump Tower also centered on moving Trump’s ideas forward.
“We talked about the role I will play in helping him implement his ideas,” Barletta said.
