Democrats Urge Enzi to Stop Blocking Labor Dept Appointment

Casper, WY – The Wyoming Democratic Party today called on Senator Enzi to withdraw his opposition to President Obama’s nominee for Department of Labor solicitor.  M. Patricia Smith, New York State Commissioner of Labor, was nominated in March 2009 but Wyoming’s own Senator Enzi is single-handedly holding up the nomination.

Labor Department solicitor serves as general counsel to the Secretary of Labor and is responsible for helping shape policy, oversee litigation, and coordinate the activities of the Wage and Hour Division.

“The Department of Labor is essential in regulation and enforcement of key worker protections.  A partially staffed department cannot effectively respond to violations,” said Communications Director Brianna Jones.  “This important position should not be left vacant at the expense of our nations workers.”

In a March 2009 investigation, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that low wage workers are vulnerable to wage theft due to a sluggish and ineffective investigative process within the Wage and Hour Division.  In an undercover investigation, the GAO found the division failed to successfully investigate nine out of 10 fictitious cases.  Even more disturbingly, the GAO identified 20 cases affecting at least 1,160 real employees whose employers were inadequately investigated.

Local business organizations, elected officials, advocacy groups, and workers organizations have voiced support for Smith’s nomination. “Ms. Smith has a long record of standing up for the average worker in her efforts to right overtime and minimum wage violations within New York,” noted Jones.  “We are pleased with her nomination to this position and urge Senator Enzi to remove his hold on the confirmation.  It is unacceptable that he is leaving our workers to be hung out to dry.”

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