Senate Confirms Solis as Labor Secretary Despite GOP Concerns

[Earth Bound Misfit]

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003059528&cpage=1

The Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Rep. Hilda L. Solis , D-Calif., as secretary of Labor, despite Republican concerns about her pro-union voting record.

The 80-17 vote leaves two vacancies in President Obama’s Cabinet — Commerce secretary and Health and Human Services secretary. Solis was sworn in Tuesday evening.

While the final vote for Solis was decisive, it was not an overwhelming vote of confidence in the new Labor secretary. Only Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner , confirmed by 60-34, drew more “no” votes.

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Republicans also accused Solis of a lack of candor about her position on such touchstone labor issues as a“card-check” bill to make it easier for unions to organize a workplace and state right-to-work laws.

Traditional partisan differences on such issues have only been exacerbated by the current economic climate. Business advocates and their Senate allies say measures to increase workers’ bargaining power would undermine employers already strained by the recession. Labor groups and their supporters see workers’ rights as a critical part of restoring the economy to health.

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As Labor secretary, Solis will not only promote the administration’s policy on legislation but will also oversee programs and agencies within the department whose budgets and regulatory authority were scaled back under the Bush administration.

Democrats, touting such initiatives as Solis’ key sponsorship of a 2007 bill to improve job training for “green” industries, said they were happy to finally have a Secretary who shares their views about improving the economy.

“America’s families today are facing incredible challenges. They’re struggling with record unemployment and a devastating economic crisis. They need and they deserve an advocate in the administration,” said Sen. Patty Murray , D-Wash. “We cannot afford to wait.”

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