WASHINGTON — President Obama's choice to head the Labor Department is trying to overcome resistance to her nomination from Republican senators, who contend she dodged important questions during her confirmation hearing.
Rep. Hilda L. Solis, a Democrat from El Monte, is one of several prominent Cabinet nominees still awaiting confirmation more than a week after the president took office.
Eric H. Holder Jr., tapped to be attorney general, is likely to be confirmed by the Senate on Monday.
Tom Daschle, a former Senate majority leader, is expected to win confirmation as Health and Human Services secretary. The Senate Finance Committee's ranking Republican, Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, said the committee's vetting of Daschle was nearly complete.
Solis' nomination has been in limbo since Jan. 9, when she failed to impress Republican senators during a confirmation hearing before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass).
The committee has taken no action on her appointment and has none scheduled. In Solis' camp, frustration is mounting.
Solis, who was elected to Congress in 2000, has compiled a reliably pro-labor voting record. But during the hearing, she said she was not "qualified" to answer when she was asked her position on "right to work" laws, which are often strongly opposed by labor unions. "Right to work" laws say employees cannot be compelled to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment.
Solis also gave noncommittal responses to questions about the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to form bargaining units. Under the act, employees could form a union by filling out a card, rather than voting in a secret election. Labor and business groups are prepared to spend millions of dollars dueling over the legislation, which could be taken up in the House in a few weeks.
Solis, the daughter of union members, was a co-sponsor of the card check-off legislation in 2007.
Republican members who questioned Solis about the bill left the Jan. 9 hearing disappointed.
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) said in an interview: "She was at best evasive in answering questions." Isakson said he had not made up his mind about whether to vote for Solis.
One Republican Senate aide said members bristled at Solis' contention that she was not qualified to give certain answers.
