Local Congresswoman, Hilda Solis, Confirmed as Secretary of Labor

Hilda Solis, D-Calif., left, sits with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, before testifying before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee hearing on her nomination. At center is her husband Sam Solis. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Although Republicans had held up Congresswoman Hilda Solis' nomination for some time over a Republican-Democrat philosophy difference on unions (not to mention $6,400 in outstanding tax liens owed on her husband's auto repair business), the two parties agreed today to vote on her confirmation. She won with 80 yes votes and 17 nays.

“I am confident that Hilda Solis will turn the many challenges we face into many opportunities for the American people. As Secretary, she will continue to promote policies that will invigorate our economy, protect our jobs, and retrain our work force," California Senator Barbara Boxer said today on the confirmation. "She will work for a sustainable energy future, which is going to mean lots of jobs and new technologies. She will ensure safe working conditions. She will enforce fairly the wage and hour laws we have on the books… She will protect against worker discrimination. She will strengthen the middle class."