Solis confirmed as labor at issue in Nevada

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 | 3:52 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- The Senate this afternoon confirmed Rep. Hilda Solis of California as Labor Secretary after a rocky nomination process.

More than half the Republicans in the Senate joined Democrats in voting 80-17 to approve President Barack Obama’s cabinet choice.

Solis will take over as the department faces several issues important in Southern Nevada – from the congressional debate over the Employee Free Choice Act that would make it easier for unions to organize to oversight of workplace laws at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Solis came under scrutiny from Republicans during her nomination hearing before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for having declined to fully explain her position on the Employee Free Choice Act.

The bill is a top issue for organized labor but opposed by the business community. She had supported the bill as a congresswoman.

Her nomination was further stalled after questions arose about her husband’s outstanding tax lien on his auto shop in Los Angeles. She also faced questions about her membership on the board of an organization lobbying for the union-backed Employee Free Choice Act.

Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign was among 17 Republican senators, mostly from southern states, who voted against the confirmation. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid voted in favor.

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By EFCANOW

Feb. 24, 2009

4:27 p.m.

Flag

Senate voted 80-17 to confirm Hilda Solis as President Obama's Secretary of Labor

The Department of Management Will Now Be Known as the Department of The Workers Rights!

Dear Steve Maritas Organizing Director SPFPA

I am pleased to report that earlier today, the Senate voted 80-17 to confirm Hilda Solis as President Obama's Secretary of Labor. I strongly supported her confirmation.

Secretary Solis comes from a proud union family, and has been fighting for the rights of workers her entire career. She understands the difficult issues facing our economy, and I have every confidence that she will work tirelessly at the Labor Department to make sure working families are not left behind.

At a time when we have 11 million workers unemployed in America, it is inexcusable that her nomination was held up due to partisan politics. I am glad the Senate was finally able to move her nomination forward, and I look forward to working with her on the issues that are so important to Michigan's working families.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance to you or your family.

Sincerely,

Debbie Stabenow

United States Senator

http://efcanow.blogspot.com/

http://www.employeefreechoiceactnow.org

"The Solis confirmation is the First Step in Passing The Employee Free Choice Act. We Will Soon Be Attempting to Organize the Thousands of Under Paid Casino Security Professionals working in Las Vegas Very Soon. We Have NOT Gone Away!"

Steve Maritas Organizing Director SPFPA

http://www.SPFPA.ORG

Tags: Employee Free Choice Act, Free Choice Act, EFCA, Hilda Solis, Senate, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Labor Union News, Labor Union