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I'll Fight for 'Hardworking Families': Solis

Union foes challenge Labor nominee, but confirmation expected

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 9, 2009 2:35 PM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama’s pick for labor secretary vowed today to “improve the opportunities for hardworking families,” CNN reports. “My vision for the Department of Labor is rooted in who I am,” said Rep. Hilda Solis, the daughter of two union members. The four-term congresswoman from Los Angeles, considered one of the most liberal members of the House, began her confirmation hearings today.

Solis’ nomination is expected to easily pass the Senate. “This is a woman of common sense and very sound judgment,” said Democrat Dianne Feinstein, echoing comments by labor leaders. But Solis isn’t universally popular: One activist called her “a die-hard forced unionism activist,” and she’ll be Obama’s pointwoman on a controversial measure to loosen organized-labor restrictions at work.

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President-elect Barack Obama's choice for labor secretary, California Rep. Hilda Solis, promised to "improve the opportunities for hardworking families" as she began her confirmation hearings. (AP Photo)

"My vision for the Department of Labor is rooted in who I am," said California Rep. Hilda Solis, the daughter of two union members, at Senate confirmation hearings today. (AP Photo)

While Hilda Solis is expected to be easily confirmed, many of the labor issues she will likely grapple with remain a heated point of contention between Barack Obama and congressional Republicans. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

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Throughout her political career, she has unfailingly carried water for Big Labor and voted in favor of every forced unionism power grab that has come before her. - Mark Mix, National Right to Work Committee, on Hilda Solis

Congresswoman Solis is a die-hard forced unionism activist who apparently believes that all workers should be gathered into union collectives whether they like it or not.
- Mark Mix, National Right to Work Committee

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I'll Fight for 'Hardworking Families': Solis