Solis nomination hits bump

Jan 23, 2009

At press time, the nomination of Rep. Hilda L. Solis (D-CA) as secretary of labor appeared to have hit a bump. Following Solis' confirmation hearing (.pdf file) Jan. 9 before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, several Republican senators had complained about her refusal to comment on several controversial labor issues, including labor union secret balloting.

Solis said she needed additional time for review and to consult with President Barack Obama. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), HELP Committee ranking member, voiced his complaint during the hearing when Solis refused to offer direct responses to his questions. The committee scheduled two sessions to vote on Solis' nomination, but each had been postponed as of press time.

Solis' nomination had drawn positive reaction from labor advocates, while at least one manufacturers' group hinted at an upcoming fight regarding future regulation.

"The task of rebuilding the Department of Labor after years of neglect will be particularly daunting," said fellow California Democrat George Miller, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. However, he expressed his confidence in Solis' ability to "ensure that the Labor Department fights for working people." AFL-CIO President John Sweeney issued a statement saying the federation believes Solis "will return to the Labor Department one of its core missions – to defend workers' basic rights in our nation's workplaces."

In contrast, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO John Engler issued a statement following Solis' nomination saying the Washington-based organization looked forward to working with her by providing "detailed analysis of the impact of labor legislation and proposals on American business's ability to create and retain jobs." The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Solis' nomination. The business advocacy group, also based in Washington, had released statements on several of Obama's nominations – including his choices to lead the Small Business Administration and the Department of Transportation – but had not done so for Solis as of press time.