The Senate today confirmed Chicago attorney William Daley as the new Commerce secretary, with Commerce Chairman McCain saying Daley "has a tough road ahead of him, but I'm sure he will do a fine job."
Daley, the son of late Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley and brother of current Mayor Richard M. Daley, was confirmed on a 95-2 vote. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who Wednesday cast the only committee vote against Daley, voted against his confirmation and was joined by Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla.
Also today, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., also said that while he initially supported the nomination of White House Public Liaison Alexis Herman to be labor secretary, he needs to know more about her involvement with a White House meeting last May between Clinton, banking leaders, and Democratic fundraisers.
"The problems that have been reported ... are not a good situation," Lott told reporters. "I don't think the explanation the White House has come up with so far is sufficient. To say that it's OK to do these sort of political things at the White House as long you put in 40 hours during the work week, then who keeps track of that? And how much of that went on?"
Lott said he spoke today with Senate Labor and Human Resources Chairman Jeffords about finding more details of Herman's work at the White House, and asked to be kept informed of his progress.
But Senate Minority Leader Daschle said Herman's appointment should not be held up because of the dispute, while agreeing that those issues need to be addressed. "Let's look at whatever allegations there. Let her provide the data and her answers to the committee, but I think that she deserves a fair hearing and an opportunity to present her case," he said, adding, "I remain optimistic about her chances for confirmation."
NEXT STORY: DOE Still in Crosshairs