Solis nomination approved by committee

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama's pick to lead the Labor Department won approval from a Senate Committee Wednesday, clearing a path for her confirmation.

Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., won easy approval of the Senate Health Education Pensions and Labor Committee after her nomination had been delayed amid Republican concerns about her ties to unions, Politico reported.

"Hilda Solis comes from a working family herself so she understands how the troubled economy is hurting average Americans," said committee Chairman Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. "American workers deserve to have her voice and her leadership as their secretary of labor, and I'm pleased that our committee approved her."

The committee approved Solis on a voice vote, with two Republicans, Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Pat Roberts of Kansas, voting "no."