Solis (Secretary of Labor) nomination vote delayed

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Politico.com

By ALEX ISENSTADT

Rep. Hilda L. Solis’ nomination vote has been delayed by the Senate committee in charge of vetting her for the secretary of labor position in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet.

The delay was announced moments after USA Today reported that Solis’ husband had recently paid off $6,400 in tax liens on an auto shop he owns in Los Angeles.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee provided few details on why it postponed the committee vote on Solis, though Senate Republicans have expressed concerns about the nominee’s refusal to answer questions on a wide range of labor and union issues. Republicans are gearing up for a huge fight on the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make unionizing much easier, and they are targeting Solis’ nomination.

In its announcement Thursday afternoon, the HELP committee would only say it needed more time to review some fresh documents related to the Solis nomination.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18465.html

[JayMusgrove]

1. Is that the real reason? Hubby's tax liens?

Or are Rethuglicans just being obstructionist again.

$6400 in back taxes by a spouse, not much of a reason, IMO!

[roguevalley]

17. she isn't part of that so she shouldn't have to bear the burden.

damned people. PAY YOUR TAXES!

[Raine1967]

2. I call Bullshit.

This is getting really ridiculous.

Earlier today it was becuase she was a *lobbyist* for a Pro Union group. From the LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-solis5-2009feb05,0,4387613.story

Underscoring the bitter debate over a proposal to make it easier for workers to form unions, Republican senators are suggesting that President Obama's pick for Labor secretary must recuse herself from lobbying for the bill's passage.

A Senate committee will vote today whether to confirm Rep. Hilda L. Solis, a Democrat from El Monte.

In a written exchange with Solis, Republican senators indicated they are wary of her ties to a tax-exempt group dedicated to helping workers unionize.

Solis is treasurer of the organization, American Rights at Work. Federal records show that the group lobbied Congress last year to pass the measure, known informally as "card check."

========================================================================

The are on a witch hunt here. They are against her as Labor Secretary because she is PRO LABOR!!!!

..

[Metta]

3. Yeah, they're reaching. Trying to demonize her via guilt by association. What's new?

Remember, they were moving their lips.

[Joanne98]

4. Senate committee delays vote on Obama labor nominee

Source: Reuters


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Senate committee on Thursday abruptly postponed a vote to confirm President Barack Obama's nominee to be labor secretary following a news report that her husband may have tax problems.

A joint statement from the Senate Labor Committee's Democratic chairman and top Republican made no mention of the report in the USA Today newspaper, but said the delay was to "allow members additional time to review documentation submitted in support" of the nominee, Democratic Representative Hilda Solis of California.

USA Today reported on Thursday that Solis' husband paid about $6,400 on Wednesday to settle tax liens that had been outstanding for as long as 16 years against his business. This week has already seen two of Obama's high profile nominees withdraw from consideration due to tax issues.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5146T520090205

[sasquatch]

5. Um...why!?

[Hope And Change]

6. Her husband?So what?Who cares.

[Bolo Boffin]

7. Oh, no.

Obama should fight for Solis. The silly season is in full swing right now. I agree that Daschle should have gone down, but this is ridiculous.

[Hope And Change]

9. I agree.This is about Hilda Solis and not her husband.

[marshall]

25. Isn't Obama on retreat in Virginia with the House?

He may not know about it yet.

[bdamomma]

8. I heard that Solis supports labor unions maybe this why they are

blocking her, it just never stops.

[gratuitous]

14. That's it right there

The Republicans hate the idea of a Labor Secretary who is actually tilted toward Labor and not Capital.

[Bolo Boffin]

15. They were trying to get her to recuse herself from lobbying Congress on the Free Choice Act

Imagine that, a Labor Secretary unable to push passage of a labor bill in Congress. Total elephant dung.

[Beavker]

10. Can someone start looking into the GOP friends' Taxes?

Maybe I'm wrong...but is it possible our GOP friends could be knit picked as well. Obama should use his 'investigative' powers and new friends to find a bit of leverage...I'm not saying Blackmale, but come on, it's getting to be a witch hunt almost. See if it is only the Democrats in Politics that are appearantly scumbags all the sudden. How many people quit Bush's cabinet in the 8 years of bliss he was in there? They quit. Just seems like a massive amount, but then again I haven't been keeping totals over the past several admins...

[AZ Criminal JD]

27. Nixon tried that trick with the IRS

And guess what happened to him. Is that what you want?

[stillcool]

11. Taxes have nothing to do with it...

She supports unions, and the Employee Free Choice Act.

[w4rma]

12. Her husband? And less than $7,000? And he's already paid up? She'll be fine. (nt)

[marshall]

26. Yep, he paid it up yesterday

They'd been racking up for 16 years. Better late than never, I guess.

Washington insiders: Pay your taxes, please!

[nichomachus]

13. I'm glad to see that all the "reaching out" is paying such great dividends n/t

[mwb970]

16. The Republicans didn't seem concerned about Todd Palin's secessionist ties.

I guess it depends on whose spouse we're talking about.

[cap]

18. Nail Palin on the tax implications of her per diem

eom

[AZ Criminal JD]

30. That would mean Congress and their staff would have to start paying on their per diem

So it will never happen. A dirty little secret in both state and federal government.

[nichomachus]

19. The Labor Dept. used to be pro-worker and pro-jobs

The Republicans changed that -- we need to bring it back to where it was.

[damntexdem]

20. This is the one the GOP really, really wants to stop.

The hubby's tax bill is just an excuse. They don't want someone pro-labor at Labor.

[LaPera]

21. Fucking republican will be trying any lie & tactic to keep Hilda Solis’ from being confirmed.

Why.....because the wonderful Solis is strongly pro labor, pro union and cares about workers rights & safety....All the things the republicans despise and their ideology is entirely against.

The republicans see any gains by workers, rights and forming unions hurts the rich corporations and their profits...(the wealthy & the corporations are the base of the republican party).

Republican's say fuck the workers & the middle class, as we have seen so clearly with Bush's appointments ignoring labors needs in favor of these greedy, rotten corporations for the past eight years!!

[McCamy Taylor]

22. She is the BEST Obama nominee so expect the GOP to fight her tooth and nail.

BTW, labor elected Obama. He had better not stab them in the back now. There are a lot of things he can fudge on now that he is elected, but for Obama to back off on promises he made to the American workers now would be like W. backing off on promises he made to the religious right. It would sour things between him (and the Democrats) and their base for years to come----and would probably put the Clintons back in charge of the Democratic Party.

[stillcool]

23. Who pulls the strings at the IRS?

Can I ask them to audit every member of the U.S. Congress and their families, going back say 20 years?

[AZ Criminal JD]

31. Obama is in charge. Write him about that.

[stillcool]

32. Oh yeah? It's under the Department of the Treasury no?

I think that is Geitner? When was he confirmed? Why should I contact Obama? Do you think maybe I should contact my Senators, or maybe my Congressman? Is there nothing that I can do but complain about/to "President" Obama?

[AZ Criminal JD]

34. If my copy of the Constitution is still in effect

Obama is in charge of the Treasury Dept. But maybe there has been a recent amendment that I didn't catch.

[Capt. America]

24. She's the most progressive pick by Obama in an agency that really, really needs one.

[Myrina]

28. Jumpin' Jesus on a Pogo Stick Already!!

Can't Obama find one person for his cabinet that
a. isn't an insider
b. doesn't have tax problems
c. doesn't have a shitload of political baggage; and/or
d. doesn't have a freakin' family/ethical/personal conflict of interest?

:spank: :spank: :spank:

There are thousands of qualified, educated, interested CITIZENS out here, sir, that would LOVE to help you fix up DC.

WHY AREN'T YOU LOOKING TO THEM TO JOIN YOUR TEAM??

[marshall]

33. You'd think he could pick somebody from Chicago that nobody has ever heard of

Who ever heard of Janet Reno before Clinton tapped her for Attorney General? And didn't Clinton also bring in some buddies from Arkansas who were new to Washington and therefore a breath of fresh air? Why can't Obama do the same?

[Mudoria]

29. I think she would be a great advocate for workers

and I hope she gets the job. But still, why can't these government officials get their ducks in a row? I mean, damn, 16 years overdue and he only pays up now? That stinks. He may have killed his wife's chances of getting a job she was born to do and we will have lost a great advocate for workers rights.

Note to all government officials: Get your poop straightened out... now!