Solis Pick Stalled By Fiece GOP Resistance

[Shiver]

Card check issue stalls panel’s vote on nominee
By Lisa Mascaro, Las Vegas Sun (via Huffington Post)
January 23rd, 2009

Washington — President Barack Obama’s nominee for Labor secretary is running into fierce resistance from Republicans over her reluctance to state her views clearly on legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize.

The nomination of Rep. Hilda Solis has yet to be approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee — even though her confirmation hearing two weeks ago was among the first for Obama’s cabinet picks.

*snip*

The committee’s ranking Republican, Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming, has been pressing for more detailed responses to questions posed on several issues, including the Employee Free Choice Act or card check bill.

The legislation would allow workers to organize simply by handing in enough cards expressing their preference. Under card check, union membership rose steadily in the past century until 1947, when Congress, under pressure from business, began requiring secret ballot elections. Unions claim the election campaigns allow management to dissuade workers with threats. Businesses argue that card check allows unions to pressure workers unduly to organize.

When asked Thursday whether he was satisfied with the answers Solis has given, Enzi said: “What answers?”

Full article at above link

*****

Did anyone see this coming? I admit, I didn't even anticipate this, with all the fuss about Holder, Geithner and Hillary. Solis is one of the best picks for the Cabinet, so naturally the GOP would try and kill the nomination...

[Renew Deal]

1. How can they stall it?

Aren't there more than enough votes to override and procedural BS?

[Shiver]

2. I think they could try to hold it up in commitee

Barring that, they could attempt to filibuster. I'm sure there are other options open to them as well that aren't coming to mind.

[Shiver]

3. .

:kick:

[Shiver]

8. Once more, for the hell of it...

:kick:

[ClarkUSA]

4. She should do what Bush nominees do: lie and then do exactly what she wishes...

Only what she wants is for the common good. Serves Republican right.

[Shiver]

5. I'd rather she didn't have to lie

But if that's what it takes... :shrug:

[ClarkUSA]

6. I hear ya.

But that may be what it takes.

[GrantDem]

7. She voted in favor of EFCA.

So it is obvious she supports it. However, as Labor Secretary she merely oversees enforcement of the legislation not its passage. Just more Republican obstruction. They are going to have get used to a DOL that supports workers.

[cap]

9. two words: I won

Obama just said it all today in response to the Republicans regarding the stimulus package.

He's going to just have to say it again in regards to Solis: "I won".

[Shiver]

10. I saw that

I laughed for ten minutes straight after that. I'm not really that worried about Solis not being confirmed, just a little unnerved that, when Holder and Geithner are confirmed, they might try to strike Solis down to try and gain some form of victory.

[mvd]

11. She'll be confirmed

Like with Franken, they can only delay the inevitable so long.

[AlinPA]

12. We need 60 votes & now have 57. 58 if you count Lie-berman. I have not heard

of any republican crossovers yet, although there may be one or two.

[Shiver]

14. We only need 51

Confirmation of Cabinet officials requires a simple majority, or 51 votes.

Edit: It occurs to me that you were referring to breaking a possible filibuster, for which we would need sixty. I'm pretty sure we could get some crossovers, though...

[AlinPA]

15. I was thinking filibuster.

[Shiver]

17. There's always the nuclear option.

[klook]

13. Their corporate masters fear EFCA more than tax increases

or just about anything else (except pay discrimination legislation -- which she also supports). The "card check" bill could not only make it easier for employees to organize, it could force management to deal with union representation before they even knew what hit them.

In other words, it's a wonderful development for workers.

I hope those who say her confirmation is a sure thing are correct.

[Phx_Dem]

16. If the fucking Republicans are so concerned about unions,

maybe they should win an election now and then (but I hope they never do!).

Hey wingnuts, elections have consequences. We won. So fuck you.

[TeamJordan23]

18. If they oppose her, it could be political suicide for the GOP among Latinos. nm

[Shiver]

19. Excellent point, I hadn't thought of that.

I actually forgot she was Hispanic... :blush:

[wmbrew0206]

20. The EFCA Act is at the top of the republican defeat list.

Republicans view killing this bill as the #1 priority right now and they are signaling that they are willing to filibuster it.

I'm not sure we have enough votes in the Senate to break a filibuster and this is the one thing that Republicans will happy start reciting the DC phone book for weeks to defeat.

[CitizenPatriot]

21. Why does the GOP hate minorities? :-) nt

[Shiver]

22. I just realized I spelled "Fierce" wrong...

:banghead:

[Cha]

23. Why do gopers hate the working people?

I realize they feed at the trough of the corporate CEOs but that didn't get them the votes, did it?