Hilda Solis confirmation.

Why hasn’t Hilda Solis been confirmed as Labor Secretary yet, and why haven’t we heard from the unions or from the Obama administration about it?

Bad Ju-Ju's efforts to hold up Solis could be a first shot in the larger coming war over the Employee Free Choice Act, a top labor priority. I hope that the Obama administration’s refusal to make an issue of the hold-up on Solis is not a sign that the Obama team won’t act aggressively on Employee Free Choice.
JoeC (McGruff)

Don't you mean isn't a sign?

"I hope that it isn't a sign that the Obama team won't act aggressively on EFCA?"

Mr. Pink

Yep that's what I mean Mr. Pink. Sorry for the confusion. Now that it is corrected what is your opinion?
JoeC (McGruff)

My opinion of Soltis as the Secretary of Labor? I think that she is qualified and should be confirmed.

My opinion of why she has not had a confirmation hearing? That's a good question. I think, in my opinion, that Obama was looking for bi-partisan support for the stimulus bill, and probably thought that trying to get her confirmed at the same time would alienate some republicans. As we saw though, he received no republican support. Thus, I think we will see her on the agenda rather quickly.

My opinion of EFCA? I'm not a big fan. I would be the first to admit that the NLRA has some serious problems, and that the law is tilted too far in favor of employers. However, I don't think that EFCA is a good solution.

Mr. Pink

Thats interesting take you may be right about the Solis confirmation. What is some what disappointing is the Democrats control both houses there should not be a lot of trouble confirming the secretary. The Republicans had no problem with the treasury secretary confirmation, he had some past tax problems, yet this one is lagging.
JoeC (McGruff)

The committee delay on Hilda Solis' nomination as Secretary of Labor is now over after she provided an affidavit showing that her association with American Rights at Work presented no conflict of interest with her role in the House. The committee approved her on voice vote, with two members voting no. Her nomination now moves to the full Senate.
JoeC (McGruff)

Today, the Senate confirmed Hilda Solis as labor secretary by a vote of 80-17. The margin really shows that the opposition had been somewhat deep, but not particularly broad. Good news for the Department of Labor today as they've now got their number 1 and number 2 officials in place.
We may see somthing from the DOL. Solis suports the E.F.C.A.
JoeC (McGruff)