by KASIE HUNT and DAN FRIEDMAN, CongressDaily
The White House and labor groups continued to back Rep. Hilda Solis' nomination for Labor secretary Thursday, despite her husband's tax troubles.
Senators delayed a committee vote on the California Democrat's confirmation after reports her husband, Sam Sayyad, paid $6,400 this week to settle 15 state and county tax liens on his small business in California. "We reviewed her tax returns and her tax returns are in order," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, adding, "We're not going to penalize her for her husband's business mistakes."
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions ranking member Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., said the hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday afternoon, was not delayed because of the tax problem per se but to allow the committee more time to review new information. He declined to comment on the status of her nomination but wouldn't say whether he felt it would delay her nomination.
In a joint statement, Enzi and HELP Chairman Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said: "There are no holds on her nomination and members on both sides of the aisle remain committed to giving her nomination the fair and thorough consideration that she deserves. We will continue to work together to move this nomination forward as soon as possible."
Gibbs said the White House does not believe her confirmation is in jeopardy.
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn of Texas said her husband's tax problem is a serious concern. "I'd have a tough time supporting it [her confirmation]," he said.
The revelation comes after two other Obama appointees withdrew because of tax problems. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., abandoned his bid to be Health and Human Services secretary and White House health care czar because of his failure to pay taxes on a car service provided by a close friend's private equity firm.
Nancy Killefer withdrew her nomination to be chief performance officer after questions arose about a D.C. tax lien and her household help. Solis' confirmation had been previously delayed because Republicans wanted more information about her views on "card-check" legislation and had questions about her affiliation with nonprofit groups.
Labor groups continued to back Solis Thursday. "It is crucial that the American people have a strong and dynamic Department of Labor," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. "We have confidence that Rep. Hilda Solis is the right person to lead that charge, and we hope a committee vote can be rescheduled soon."
George E. Condon Jr. contributed to this report.
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