Husband's Tax Trouble Snags Labor Nominee

(AP) - The Senate today confirmed California congresswoman Hilda Solis as labor secretary. Solis' confirmation gives the agency a decidedly pro-worker tilt after eight years of business-friendly leadership under the Bush administration. The 80-17 vote comes after more than a month of delays. GOP lawmakers were concerned over her work for a pro-union group that supports legislation easing the process for workers to organize unions. She also had to answer questions about tax liens filed against her husband. More»

(NEWSER) - The sheer number of tax-related problems that have slowed confirmation of Obama nominees has some insisting the process has become tougher, Time reports. Not so, says Sen. Charles Grassley. “We are vetting nominees for the current administration the same way we vetted nominees for the previous administration,” said the ranking Republican on the Finance Committee. More»

She's latest Cabinet pick with IRS trouble

(AP) - See if this sounds familiar: Health and Human Services nominee Kathleen Sebelius has corrected three years worth of tax returns after finding "unintentional errors." In a letter to senators, Sebelius said the changes involved charitable contributions, the sale of a home, and business expenses. She and her husband paid a total of $7,040 in back taxes and $878 in interest from 2005-2007. More»

Tax flub claims another Obama nominee

(NEWSER) - Tom Daschle withdrew today from consideration for secretary of health and human services over controversial unpaid taxes, the Boston Globe reports. Daschle had retained the support of the Obama administration despite the flub, but quit seeking the post so as not to be a distraction, he said. President Obama regretfully accepted Daschle’s decision, the White House said. More»

PR blitz tackles nominee's tax, immigration issues

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama's transition team distributed talking points defending Timothy Geithner within minutes of emerging news on the Treasury nominee's tax and immigration issues, Politico reports. The PR push stressed that Geithner had paid off all his back taxes and that his former housekeeper's legal status did not lapse until the last three months of her employment. More»