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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