Solis Clears One Hurdle, But Another Remains
As my colleague Matt reported, Labor Secretary nominee Hilda Solis got her long-awaited approval this afternoon in the Senate labor committee.
This means that her nomination is now before the full Senate for final approval -- but unfortunately, it also means that any GOPer can place one of those annoying anonymous "holds" that could create another delay. And given Republican eagerness to turn Solis' confirmation into a referendum on the Employee Free Choice Act, there's always the danger of another roadblock being thrown up.
Matt reports that Sens. Tom Coburn (OK) and Pat Roberts (KS) were the two Republicans who requested that their "no" votes on Solis be recorded today, so we'll keep an eye to see whether they take their opposition to the next level.
No matter what, however, this was a step forward for the Obama administration as well as major labor unions that mounted a full-court press for Solis this week. They deserve a victory lap.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Solis and Franken- I smell a connection.
February 11, 2009 7:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Democrats? Notably silent. C'mon Big Labor, lets get some ads out!
February 11, 2009 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of which, can anyone explain the "Employee Free Choice Act," which is absolutely KILLING Democrats in the court of public opinion?
The Republicans have a great opportunity here, and they know it. Why do you think they're running ads night and day, explaining that the Democratic Party is against secret ballots, because they're beholden to big union bosses?
Talk about shooting ourselves in the foot! How could this possibly make sense? Maybe - MAYBE - you could justify the intent of this act,... but at the expense of this kind of political fallout? I just don't get it.
February 12, 2009 8:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
What color is the sky on your world? Every poll shows that Republicans are about as popular as anthrax right now. Nobody but the true believers is listening to their BS.
EFCA is a an absolutely crucial piece of legislation. If you want to continue to see a middle class in this country, we MUST reverse the decline of unions. If you really want to live in a country like Brazil with only rich and poor, just move to Brazil- the beaches are better anyway.
February 12, 2009 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Employee Free Choice Act essentially contains one major provision that Republicans and the business community despise.
Today, when a third of employees state that they want a union to represent the employees, the NLRB super an election that takes place among the employees. The specific question is something like, "Do you want XYZ union to represent you as an employee and 123 Employer?" Employers don't necessarily dislike this process because the campaign allows them to make a pitch to employees that sort of summarizes how fair they are to their staff.
EFCA will require the NLRB to certify a union if a majority of employees sign certification cards. That's a major shift, as union organizers will be allowed to present their case without necessarily providing a counter-argument from the employers. I believe that is the one major provision that employers hate.
Now, there are some other provisions, too, that are designed to protect employees who seek to join and/or organize a union. . . .
February 12, 2009 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink