Solis confirmation appears assured

Posted: Friday, January 09, 2009 12:51 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Scott Foster
At her Senate confirmation hearing this morning, Labor Secretary nominee Hilda Solis pledged to focus on protecting the interests of the American worker by improving employee rights and wages and fighting job discrimination.

Most members present at the Senate Education and Labor Committee hearing expressed their support for her nomination, while at least one Republican, Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming, seemed frustrated that she didn't fully answer all questions thrown her way. It's clear many pro-business Republicans will not fully agree with a Secretary who is so pro-Labor.

Solis, a strong backer of organized labor, said her "vision for the Department of Labor is rooted in who I am." Her father worked as a teamster in a battery recycling plant and her mother was a union factory worker in Nicaragua.

She acknowledged today's troubling unemployment numbers, saying "we are in a crisis situation," adding that the public is "demanding action on the part of Congress."

She laid out the following priorities: job training and workforce development, ensuring fair pay and safe workplaces, fixing the retirement security crisis, and fighting job discrimination.

"We need to restore the respect and integrity of those individuals who work in the workplace," she said.

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Comments

she will represent americans that need their interest taken care despit what corporate america wants. she has a proven track record of looking out for the average american and union representation. this is a good choice. she should be confirmed easily.

ace (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:09 PM)

Good !
She's a good woman
How many 'pro union' people have we had as Sec of Labor ??
Verrry few !!

Anna Molly: '...Thank heaven. Our long national nightmare is finally over....'

Actually, it doesn't end until Jan 20th
But be patient

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:13 PM)

The worm has turned. The shoe is on the other foot. Other clichés could apply. After 8 years of disaster we have turned a corner. Let us see what the future holds. Maybe it is time to get back to caring about working people. If they go too far there are enough in opposition to jerk them back in line. Somehow I don't think it will be necessary to jerk anyone back.

Once the nay sayers and doomsdayers get a taste of the future they will be like Judas and deny their opposition to the Obama plan and even claim to have voted for him. But instead of a kiss on the cheek or lips they can kiss another part of his anatomy a little farther down.

eagle1776 (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:16 PM)

'...Voters in Minnesota are, not surprisingly, pretty tired of the prolonged fight over the state's Senate seat. A plurality of Minnesotans want Norm Coleman to concede the race and disagree with his decision to contest the results. Meanwhile, as the process has dragged on, both Coleman's and Al Franken's favorability numbers have dropped.

* Speaking of Coleman, the new Senate phone listings are out, and he's not listed. His office remains closed....'

Can we finish this one up, pretty soon ?
When Coleman was ahead, on election night, he urged Franken to concede 'to let the healing begin'

That's pretty good advice, Norm
Why don't YOU take it ?

The re-count HAS BEEN honest and transparent
The re-count has been fair and square
Stop grasping at straws, Norm

PS
Arnold SchwartzenNothing will NOT be a Senator from California. He's INCOMPETENT !
He won't even win the Republican primary

Can we trade him for Blago ?
Straight up !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:19 PM)

I get a kick out of Beverly in Chicago who feels she has to answer every blog she disagrees with.

It's a lot of wasted time but she must have time to waste.

Sarah in Cincinnati (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:26 PM)

Republicans=Pro business,Thats a hoot.As long as they can control the workers,you know like slaves,as long as no one regulates what they do,as long as no one talks about that dirty word,UNION!These rednecks have a plantation mentality,they can whip you any time they want,they can shoot you,rape you,sell you,thats there idea of integrity,thats there idea of fair pay,safe work place,yea like next to one of there coal ash holding ponds.And they are so good at fighting job discrimination,some of the above are there tactics.The repuks want nothing to do with restoring respect and integrity to anyone who works,or where they work.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:27 PM)

It is about time we have some one who cares about the working class. I think she will be a great labor secretary one who will speek for all of us. thanh you pres. elect Oboma

sam chicago (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:35 PM)

I have news for business people. Your management-side attorney secretly relishes having a democratic administration and a pro-labor Secretary of Labor. The code words are embedded in Solis's list of priorities. Equal pay, safe workplace, job discrimination.

Ca-ching.

Full Employment for Me (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:47 PM)

Investment and productivity are the source of wealth and jobs in America, but neither address a share in improved wealth for the work force, only labor including min-wage laws and/or unions accomplish equitable distribution. Hilda will be the first true believer in a very long time, and her kind is long overdue!

tom mcgrath, lakeville, ma. (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:47 PM)

Rubber! Stamp!

Hey, if Obama wants to surround himself with leftwing morons, that's his problem.

Blue Lagoon (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 2:00 PM)

FR: Hilda Solis pledged to focus on protecting the interests of the American worker by improving employee rights and wages and fighting job discrimination.

Oh man, does the Democratic playbook ever change? This is something right out of the 1920's. It's a global market Hilda! Employee rights and wages, and job discrimination are all fine issues, but how are you going to prepare the American worker, the American companies, to become competitive in a global market? Have you even heard of the global market Hilda?

G. Brooks, Elington, Ky (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 2:14 PM)

I am always puzzled about elected officials who are elected to represent the people who vote for them yet instead seem to represent corporations who don't even have a vote. Why do they hate our form of government and country?

nuanced (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 2:22 PM)

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