(Breaking Rumor): Rep. Hilda Solis (CA-32) to be Secretary of Labor

[TahitiNut]

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=3585
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=3585


This looks like a home run, to me. A real liberal (progressive). Rated 100% by the AFL-CIO. Rated 100% by SEIU. Rated 100% by the UAW. Rated 100% by AFSCME. Member of the Progressive Caucus. VERY Pro-Choice. Supports UHC. Opposes DOMA.

While I might have some quibbles with her position on immigration, I can support this nomination with fervor.

:party:

Solis is Obama's Labor pick
Posted: Thursday, December 18, 2008 1:26 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Obama WH Transition
From NBC's Savannah Guthrie
NBC News has confirmed that Obama will name California Rep. Hilda Solis (D) to be his Labor secretary.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/18/1720939.aspx

[TahitiNut]

1. "AP source: Rep. Hilda Solis is Obama's labor pick"

AP source: Rep. Hilda Solis is Obama's labor pick

By JESSE J. HOLLAND – 17 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Rep. Hilda Solis of California will be Barack Obama's pick for labor secretary as the president-elect fills the last open positions in his Cabinet, a labor official told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Solis, who is the daughter of Mexican and Nicaraguan immigrants, has been the only member of Congress of Central American descent. She just won a fifth term representing heavily Hispanic portions of eastern Los Angeles County and east LA.

Obama planned to announce Solis' selection on Friday along with his selection of Republican Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois for transportation secretary. The official spoke on conditions of anonymity because an announcement has not been made yet. A call to Solis's office was not immediately returned.

(more)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jEtOI8ay_-XoZrKX9qFZBXsDQb7wD955A1H80

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. The PDA like her and so do I

She likes to call the pResident ....... just 'Bush' and
repuglicans hate her for that and call her out for that
and she doesn't back down to them.

She's a good liberal progressive that is on the side
of the people and not the corporations.

[TahitiNut]

5. I like her style .... 'Bush' IS a four-letter-word.

:evilgrin:

[HughBeaumont]

2. A plant stand would be better than the goddamned Heritage Fellow they got now.

And married to Senaturd Mitch "The Human Turtle" McConnell, no less.

[TahitiNut]

6. Without question ... she's a despicable reichturd ... undeserving of ANY position of public trust

:puke:

[MiniMe]

3. OT, but AFSCME has President Obama signs in their windows since

the election and they have a Bush countdown clock running too. Cracks me up every time I walk by. They absolutely hate W

[jpljr77]

7. Solid pick...although I really thought he'd pick Mary Beth Maxwell

Washington Post article on Solis: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/12/18/calif_congresswoman_solis_tapp.html?hpid=topnews

And is it just me, or does it seem like Obama is emptying Congress to fill his cabinet? :shrug:

[TahitiNut]

8. He's picking members of Congress with high community support ...

... and in districts that are quite safe for the Democratic Party. Obviously, Rahm has done a lot of vetting for Obama.

[bobbolink]

9. Finally some good news--thank you for that.

Any possible problems with confirmation?

Any idea of her replacement? Sounds like she will be a sad loss for the House.

Wish there was a person like this for causes for poor folk!

[TahitiNut]

10. I think she'll win confirmation. Any replacement will be a Democrat.

Her district is heavily Hispanic and Democratic. She replaced a Democrat regarded as TOO CONSERVATIVE for the tastes of her constituents. (Gotta LOVE California - many parts of it.) Her stances on housing assistance for the poor, Medicaid, and other social welfare issues are very good, imho.

[bobbolink]

14. About the first news we can really celebrate, then, eh?

:party: :bounce: :toast::party: :bounce: :toast::party: :bounce: :toast::party: :bounce: :toast::party: :bounce: :toast::party: :bounce: :toast:

As you know, low-income housing is *my* "issue". Could you please post whatever you can find on that from her?

I'd really appreciate that!

And, thanks so much for the good news---I'm so glad to finally have something that doesn't cause a grimmace. :yourock:

[TahitiNut]

15. In Project VoteSmat's "Political Courage Test" ...

... she advocated (b) and (f) in bold ...
a) Require welfare recipients to spend at least 40 hours a week in a combination of work and training programs.
X b) Increase funding for child care programs.
c) Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants.
d) Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based, or other non-profit organizations.
e) Abolish all federal welfare programs.
X f) Support housing assistance for welfare recipients.
g) Other or expanded principles

(See http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=3585#1862 )

She's also said ...

It is crucial that families, especially low- and middle-income families, have sufficient resources available to them in order to make informed decisions about financial options. Congresswoman Solis voted in favor of the Expanding American Homeownership Act which would provide more affordable mortgage loans for first-time homebuyers by revitalizing the Federal Housing Administration.

On any given night there are nearly 10,000 homeless persons in the San Gabriel Valley. Affordable housing can provide security for families struggling to meet their basic needs. That is why Congresswoman Solis voted to support the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007. This bill would establish a fund to provide for the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families.

http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=404864&keyword=housing&phrase=&contain=

[bobbolink]

16. It's great that she supports the National Housing Trust Fund Act

I'm going to have to look it up and make sure she is signed as a co-sponsor.

As for Welfare housing and "family" housing.. when we seperate out the categories like that, it only causes more problems.

AND, people like me are left out of both of those categories, so I guess we don't count.

THAT's a big problem, and I hope that many of you will take this opportunity to remind her that we ALL need housing.. while she still has an office to call!

TOLL FREE:
these are TOLL FREE numbers to the capitol hill switchboard
1 [phone]
1 ( 800) 459-1887
1 [phone]
1 [phone]
1 [phone]
1 [phone]
1-[phone]

[pinto]

11. A great choice. There are other threads around noting it, as well.

:thumbsup:

[TahitiNut]

12. I looked when I posted and didn't see any.

(I'm usually somewhat diligent about that, as you guys know.) Of course, it's hard to wade through the dozens and dozens of Warren threads as DU has another GD-threadgasm.

:shrug:

I really like her. She's damned near perfect for the job ... and I hope like Hell it's deemed an IMPORTANT department in the Obama/Biden years.

[pinto]

13. No, didn't mean that. Meant it was cool others have noted her appointment.

(Saw one in GD - P and one in LBN, iirc.)

And I agree. She's damned near perfect for the job.

:thumbsup:

ed for format

[TahitiNut]

19. I didn't mean to imply I felt chastised. I didn't.

It's more a matter of being inclined to eschew duplicates myself. IOW, I try to adhere to my own standards.

The more I read about Solis, the more I like. While there are points with which I could find room to quibble, that's to be expected and desired. She seems to possess the character and work ethic I regard as essential for that role.

[pinto]

20. Yeah, competency and effectiveness. She'll do Labor well.

[readmoreoften]

21. I had one up earlier today.

It's the first post I like. And the most important to me. I'm not sure that it cancels out "Summers, Vilsack, Holder, Warren, etc. etc." but the bone's got some meat on it.

[readmoreoften]

22. The best thing he's actually done so far.

He has my support on that. Doesn't make up for letting a guy who says I'm as bad as a pedophile up on stage, but it's one promise kept.

[senseandsensibility]

17. The language seems very definite

but is the nomination official?

[TahitiNut]

18. Reported initially by AP and picked up on NBC and affiliates, it seems to be confirmed ...

... by other media making (anonymous) contacts with (unnamed but purportedly knowledgeable) Democrats. The media seems to be developing their Fifth Column with dispatch.

We don't have long to wait, since it's supposed to be announced tomorrow. Let's see if the snow storm keeps Hilda Solis from flying into Chicago.