Tax problems delay vote on Hilda Solis

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- A U.S. Senate committee delayed action Thursday on Rep. Hilda Solis's nomination for labor secretary after learning her husband had income tax problems.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, and Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., said that they want the California Democrat's nomination to move forward, The Hill reported. But they said committee members need more time to study reports that Solis's husband satisfied tax liens on his Los Angeles auto repair business Wednesday, including some that had been pending for years.

Tax issues have become sensitive for the Obama administration. This week, former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle withdrew from consideration as health and human services secretary and Nancy Killefer declined to serve as the first chief performance officer at the White House because of late paid taxes.

Robert Gibbs, Obama's press secretary, said that Solis's own tax returns are in order and that she should not be penalized for her husband's actions, The Washington Post reported.