The Senate confirmed California Representative Hilda Solis by a vote of 80 to 17 as the new Secretary of Labor in the Obama administration, ending several weeks of delays prompted by Republican concerns over her nomination and the disclosure that her husband paid $6,400 in tax liens earlier this year on his auto repair business.

Solis is widely regarded to be a very pro-labor pick, and is a fervent supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act.  Solis’ confirmation will not be met with much enthusiasm by American employers.  But there is a silver lining:  at least she’s not Andy Stern.