Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Votes Yes On Hilda Solis

Early this evening the Senate confirmed William Lynn, III of Virginia to be Deputy Secretary of Defense 93-4. Not even three of the worst obstructionists in the Senate-- Jim DeMint, David Diapers Vitter (who just saw some disturbing polling from Louisiana showing that he's running neck and neck with Baton Rouge porn star Stormy Daniels) and Jim Bunning-- tried to filibuster it. The other two-- Tom Coburn (R-OK) and John Cornyn (R-TX)-- both voted no. But the 4 "no" votes still leaves this a big bipartisan confirmation. That isn't how anyone would describe the Hilda Solis confirmation by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, even though only two of the obstructionists-- Coburn again and Pat Roberts (R-KS)-- voted against her.

The mean-spirited GOP delays in confirming Solis prompted unions, women's and Hispanic groups to flood lawmakers' offices with calls and letters urging them to confirm her. A final Senate vote could come tomorrow in a week or two.