Solis Confirmed Big, Anti-Worker Lobby Humiliated

After a protracted attempt at conservative obstruction, Hilda Solis was finally confirmed as the new Secretary of Labor by a huge Senate margin of 80 to 17. [2]

That's a big blow to the conservative movement and corporate lobbies that fought her nomination as a proxy fight over the Employee Free Choice Act [3], which would strengthen the right for workers to join unions and fortify the middle-class. [4]

She was attacked [5] because of her long-standing support for the legislation, and conservatives hoped that either blocking the nomination, or getting it through on a close vote, would make Congress and the White House think twice about pushing EFCA.

But they were unable to rouse much ire from the public. Attacking workers, and those who support workers, doesn't have all that much juice these days.

While conservatives managed to slow things down, they only delayed the inevitable: a massive bipartisan vote in support of Solis' nomination.

If this was a proxy fight, then conservatives and the corporate backers just got whooped.

Congratulations to Secretary Solis. Her dedication and tenacity are sorely needed in our government.