Feb 24, 2009

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Senate Confirms Solis as Labor Secretary

After weeks (and weeks) of delay, prompted by Republicans concerned about her pro-union past, the U.S. Senate voted 80-17 to confirm Rep. Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor. 

According to the New York Times, Republicans were insisting that Solis’s appointment be subject to a 60-vote preliminary round until today, when they finally agreed to let the daughter of union-member immigrants get her vote and go to work.

Held up at the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (“HELP”) Committee, and then on the Senate floor, Ms. Solis’s appointment became an early lightning rod in the inevitable upcoming battle over the Employee Free Choice Act, a longsuffering bill that will either “restore the American dream” or destroy the rest of the American economy, depending on who you talk to.  (Really, it will tip the scale of influence heavily in the unions’ favor during unionizing campaigns by replacing secret-ballot elections with yes-or-no cards union campaigners can pass out at any time.)

In a more common delay (at least for this administration), Ms. Solis also lost ground when her husband’s $6,400 tax lien payment was disclosed the day before her nomination was to be confirmed by the HELP committee.

This battle over her affiliation with pro-union groups conveniently ignores the fact that, as head of the Department of Labor, Ms. Solis will have a lot more to do with unemployment statistics than any union-related policies or practices, and practically no political influence over EFCA at all.

As with most politicians, I reserve judgment on Ms. Solis until she gets to work.  She could be ineffectual, biding time while her boss sorts out the economy.  She could also be a fresh voice on employment issues.  She could also be the Democrat’s Elaine Chao (who was so pro-business American Rights at Work gave her her own catchy-named website).  For now, let’s all agree that at least we have the chance to find out.