Solis Nomination Still in Limbo as GOPers Raise Questions on Issues Beyond EFCA
With the Senate expected to approve Attorney General nominee Eric Holder on Monday, one conspicuous opening remains in President Obama's Cabinet: Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) has yet to be confirmed as Secretary of Labor.
We reported last week on GOP concerns with how Solis addressed queries on the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) during her confirmation hearing. It's worth repeating that the problem is not technically a Senate "hold," as some outlets have reported.
Chamber rules prevent official holds from being placed until a committee has released a nominee to the full Senate -- and a spokesman for Sen. Mike Enzi (WY), chief GOPer on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions panel, told me that Republicans are still awaiting answers to more written queries from Solis.
"Republicans are still doing our due diligence on this nomination," the Enzi spokesman said, noting that the latest round of written questions was sent to Solis on Tuesday. He declined to discuss the nature of the GOP's queries, but said that more than just the EFCA is at issue.
Late Update: TPM alum Greg reports at The Plum Line that the president will host labor leaders for a signing of executive orders tomorrow. One suspects that the Solis nomination will be much-discussed on the sidelines ...
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
"Republicans are still doing our due diligence on this nomination,"
Transltion: fishing for dirt.
January 29, 2009 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hope she pays her taxes!
Because if she didn't......well, never mind.
January 29, 2009 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
The repukes are slowing down her nomination hbecause they she will be a great Sec't of Labor for this country. Keep it up repukes and you will be a party of the forgotten!
January 29, 2009 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I watched part of the Solis confirmation. This lady answered nothing. She was a co-sponser of the EFCA in the House and yet would not tell the numerous GOP members (and one Dem I think it was Mikulski but I'm not sure) whether she thought it was a good bill. I mean cmon Hilda, just answer the question, let the GOP vote against you, and get confirmed.
January 29, 2009 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. She did not have a good nomination hearing. I was rather appalled at her (non-)answers. Democrats would never allow a Republican nominee to testify the way she did.
January 29, 2009 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who are they kidding? Republicans don't do "due diligence", hence the past eight year's malfeasance. More like due indulgence.
January 29, 2009 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're stalling on the nomination because Repubs don't want a Labor Secretary who supports labor and the right of workers to organize for a better life.
The GOP and U.S. Chamber of Commerce want workers to remain poor, separated and unorganized. That way they don't have to share any of the vast wealth that labor creates. You can't buy a $50,000 credenza when you have to pay people a decent wage.
January 29, 2009 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only thing that gets Republicans more worked up than taxes is unions. They'll fight EFCA with their dying breath.
January 29, 2009 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, that I live to see their dying breaths, individually and as a party.
January 29, 2009 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could any Republican who changed his party affiliation to independent, pass a Republican confirmation with praise?
Shorter - If an elephant shits in the woods...
January 29, 2009 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't think the Latino political community isn't watching the Solis confirmation hearings.
January 29, 2009 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
That horse has already left the barn.
January 29, 2009 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
But it would be GREAT to be a Republican---win, lose, or tie, you STILL get to dictate what the Senate does, or doesn't do! As long as 1 (one) Republican remains, he or she will be in command!
January 29, 2009 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Enzi is blocking this. (S1955 Health Care Modernization Act was his baby and we fought hard to defeat it along with unions and health care groups, it was a hell of a battle to defeat. It would have stripped away all consumer protections in health insurance, selling cheap policies for small business. Enzi hates unions)
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/29/114658/459
January 30, 2009 12:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know of any Republican elected official who likes unions, so it is just not Enzi--it is basically an unofficial aspect of the Republican platform.
January 30, 2009 6:50 AM | Reply | Permalink