Solis Vote Delayed: Labor Nominee Stalled As Husband Settles Taxes

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee was supposed to vote on Hilda Solis, President Obama's nominee for Labor Secretary, on Thursday. However, that vote was delayed -- just after USA Today reported that Solis' husband had paid about $6,400 to settle tax liens that had been outstanding for as long as 16 years against his auto business.

Republicans had already stalled Solis' nomination over her refusal to answer questions on the Employee Free Choice Act.

In its announcement Thursday afternoon, the Senate committee said only that it more time to review some fresh documents related to the Solis nomination.

"Today's executive session was postponed to allow members additional time to review the documentation submitted in support of Rep. Solis' nomination to serve in the important position of labor secretary," said Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Michael Enzi (D-WY) said in a statement.

As for her husband's tax issues, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said at a briefing: "I read the story in USA TODAY and it quotes somebody who works here. Obviously we know about the story. We reviewed her tax returns and her tax returns are in order. Her husband had an issue."

"She's not a partner in that business," Gibbs added. "We're not going to penalize her for her husband's business mistakes."

Comments

[PlayTOE]

In a business, the amount of $6,400 over 16 years is a very small amount to be in contention. Obviously, the situation is a dispute, not an outright tax evasion.

[johnie2xs]

Had they not found problems with Solis's husband, would they have checked her kids? Aunts? Uncles? Parents? This is getting ridiculous. I'm not standing in defense of working the tax code, but come on, depending on parameters used there is probably not one among us who could withstand this scrutiny. Give your information to five different tax preparers and see how many results agree. That's one part of the problem. The other is that in the normal course of life or business you are going to have disagreements of indebtedness's, time to time, and if it pertains to a bank, creditor, or other business entity, it can become a protracted nightmare but it is allowable and thought to be how things work. However, have a disagreement with the IRS, and have this information come out in the process of a nomination; no matter how explainable it may be a proverbial mark of Satan is bestowed upon the nominee. As long as they have paid it, and have anything even plausible as an explanation, let them express their mea culpa and be done with it.
Good Grief.

[LCRover001]

Seeing how Bush gutted the IRS it is no wonder so many have been able to skirt taxes.

I believe it is time to audit all of capital hill from the bottom to the top. Every politician, lobbyist, even dog catcher in this whole nation should be audited.

That would create a real stimulus of the economy, by creating thousands of auditor jobs as well are bringing in untold amounts of unpaid taxes.

After that Wall Street, then big business should be scrutinized.

When they finish with that trust fund babies.

Then finally main street.

If people want to bellow about taxes so much then it is time to put everyone under the microscope.

I’m all for it after all if you aren’t doing any thing wrong then what do you care.

[johnie2xs]

Just what we need. Tax Gestapo !!! Wait till they come after you. You'll be singing a different tune then, doncha know.

[EnputiSoroi]

It's ironic that the party that said the well to do didn't pay enough in taxes have so many nominees who didn't pay enough.

[messy]

Well, they were all well-to-do themselves. Case closed!

[ncmom54]

this is getting to be absurd! I don't care if it's somebody on work-release from jail... we need brains & competence to navigate us out of this nightmare we've inherited.

[EnputiSoroi]

Your heart is in the right place. Most of obama's cabinet appointees belong in jail. But if you think brains trumps principles, you probably voted for Bill and Hillary.

[munki]

sorry... our system stinks!

[tmc553]

This isn't about taxes. This about the Republicans being absolutely terrified of the thought of a Labor secretary who is pro labor instead of pro business. Note that their original objections were over her not answering their questions about her support of the Employee Free Choice Act in the way they wanted to hear. They will do anything to prevent the enactment of law that makes it easier for employees to form unions so they can get decent wages, benefits and working conditions. Republicans have never been, and never will be concerned with the working class. They would much rather have a labor pool that is not organized, preferrably facing high unemployment, so that employees will take any job, at any wage, regardless of working conditions. Their priority is profits for the business owners and corporations that contribute to their campaigns, not economic justice. And Ms Solis threatens that in a way they have rarely faced before.

[waitforme]

This is very good. I heard that they were worried about her because they were afraid she would encourage the existence of labor unions. I was astounded. Are there people who actually walk around and SAY they don't want any unions anywhere? Have they forgotten the history of the labor movement, the bad pay, long hours, six days a week jobs, no paid vacations, no parental leave, child labor, sexual harassment, lack of safety regulations -- and how workers getting together to make clear and fair demands -- or go out on strike -- began to solve all of that? (Or a lot, anyway.)

Hilda Solis (pronounced So -- LEESE) being voted down would make millions of Latinos/Latinas very unhappy, and also the rest of who think she's great. It's a great pity the retrograde Republicans, who have already attempted to humiliate Obama by ganging together to vote no on the stimulus bill, though they go to his parties, now want to disappear a fantastic Latina. But you can't shame them for racism -- they think it's the water they swim in, that is they just act it out and breathe it and can't see it or feel ashamed. (I think it's that they just. can't. stand. to see colored faces holding places of power which they, themselves, might have aspired to; irrationally, they, themselves, feel humiliated by that fact. I have been wondering how it could be that these people have not grown up.

[JohnSawyer]

"Are there people who actually walk around and SAY they don't want any unions anywhere?"

Yes, they're called "conservatives".

[ChiProgressive]

This will ensure that any Latinos who voted for Republicans will switch next time as well as anger non-voting Latinos to get out to the poles.

The Latino population in Chicago has so low voting rates that government knows that they don't need to act on their behalf.

!Mi gente, vaya y vote!

[biged242]

Funny - they did not have any trouble voting for an AG nominee who refused to say if he thought water boarding was torture. Glad they have their priorities straight.

[toypiano]

Repubs are gunning hard for Solis, and they're all faux-outraged about this. Where was their outrage for the 58 Executive Office and White House employees who didn't pay their taxes in 2007? Right. So I think Solis will be confirmed. Besides, it was her husband's business taxes. Was he contesting the IRS about the amount owed?

It is starting to look mighty strange that taxes keep cropping up in the confirmation process. The only one that bothers me is Geithner, though, since he's overseeing the IRS and he helped steer the economy into the crapper in the first place. WTF? But Solis is terrific and we NEED her as Labor Sec. She'll be great!

[waitforme]

Indeed.

[Cherubim]

President Obama wastes another chance to include John Edwards in his cabinet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HblCnUrkQG0

[hey0there]

national enquirer mistress baby pics on standby.. full weekly coverage for years.

[HC4BO]

Since when does a husbands transgressions affect a wife's employment potential ...

Oh ... I guess since the Clinton era ...

Seriously, the woman is NOT a partner in her husbands business ...

Meaning , she MUST NOT be judged according to what her husband does ... That is UNFAIR ...

She is the one getting the job and as long as she is qualified and pays her taxes, she DESERVES the job ...

[hey0there]

its been this way as long as i can remember.. Geraldine Ferrarro comes to mind , her husband had those tax problems and it hurt the mondale/ferraro ticket

[JeffersonState]

Republicans need to remember that their Presidential Candidate also had some tax issues.

So did their hero, (not)Joe the (not)plumber.

At some point, even the GOP has got to become weary of their hypocracy on every issue, No?

[Rashnak]

I don't seem to remember that Joe was mentioned for a administration position. He just happened to be on the street when Obama walked up to him.

[LeeCalif]

Ya. He just HAPPENED to be on the street ...............

Ready with an answer.

In case any Democratic presidential candidate happened by ..........

And said hello .........

[JeffersonState]

no defense for McTaxcheat?

Rashnak.... the rest of the country is weary of GOP hypocracy, as you continue to defend it.

[Scalie]

After all the capitalism with no enforced regulations from our government just brought out self-interest greed and plunder which has left our country in a sad broke state. Was less government worth it? And, does any one person in DC pay taxes? Do they all have the mind set like Rove and Cheney..above the law?

[Rashnak]

Question- How many tax cheats can one administration hold?

Answer, at least one more!

[HC4BO]

I don't remember Mr. Doyle being offered a job in the Obama Administration ...

[LeeCalif]

These folks have been disinvited, Rashness.

How many war criminals did the bush administration contain?!

[RiverHippieLives]

Here we go again. Obama's going to get tired of apologizing.

[southwindow]

shouldn't her husband have done this a while ago, like when she was first vetted?
really all we heard about how strict the vetting process was supposed to be didn't really pan out.