Nearing completion of his Cabinet, Barack Obama plans to choose California Rep. Hilda Solis as his labor secretary, a labor official said today as the president-elect named three veteran regulators to help clean up financial debacles.
Obama blamed much of the nation’s economic troubles on government regulators who “dropped the ball,” and he called for a return to ethics and tough enforcement.
Obama planned to announce Solis’ selection on Friday, along with that of Republican Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois for transportation secretary.
Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro reportedly was among the finalists for labor secretary.
The incoming chief executive is trying to get most of his major appointments out of the way before heading to Hawaii for a holiday vacation, and has held a news conference each day this week to unveil top positions.
He has yet to announce senior intelligence positions or his choice to head the Office of U.S. Trade Representative. And, numerous sub-Cabinet posts remain unfilled.
Solis, a Democratic congresswoman who is the daughter of Mexican and Nicaraguan immigrants, has focused on immigration and environment issues while in the House. The official who disclosed Obama’s decision spoke on condition of anonymity because an announcement has not been made yet.
Standing before reporters today, Obama named Securities and Exchange Commission veteran Mary Schapiro as chairwoman of that agency, former Treasury official Gary Gensler to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and law professor Daniel Tarullo to fill an empty Federal Reserve seat. All three will need to be confirmed by the Senate next year. (AP)
