Obama reportedly taps Solis for labor, among other picks
Another day, another report of a new member for Barack Obama's Cabinet.
This time, it's California Representative Hilda Solis, whom the president-elect will appoint as secretary of labor, according to the Associated Press.
 Hilda Solis (AP) |
Solis, the daughter of Mexican and Nicaraguan immigrants, has focused on access to affordable healthcare, protecting the environment, and helping working families while in Washington, according to her website.
In what is becoming a growing trend among Obama appointees, Solis has also been active on green initiatives. She sponsored the Green Jobs Act of 2007, which authorized $125 million to train workers for environmentally minded jobs such as installing solar panels and construction of energy efficient buildings.
Solis wasn't the only new name floated around today. Obama plans to pick former Dallas mayor Ron Kirk as US trade representative, the Associated Press reports.
The Globe learned that Harvard physicist John Holdren, a leading authority on global warming, will be Obama's science adviser.
And finally, retired Admiral Dennis Blair will be tapped as the top US intellgence official, according to Reuters.
UPDATE: Obama tomorrow will announce US Representative Ray LaHood, a Republican from his home state of Illinois, as his nominee for secretary of transportation, according to a Democratic official with knowledge of the plans. LaHood is perhaps best known for presiding over the impeachment of former president Bill Clinton. He is retiring from Congress this year after serving seven terms.
About Political Intelligence
Glen Johnson is Politics Editor at boston.com and lead blogger for "Political Intelligence." He moved to Massachusetts in the fourth grade, and has covered local, state, and national politics for over 25 years. E-mail him at johnson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globeglen. |
