Labor nominee clears divided Senate panel

[October 08, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A sharply divided Senate panel has approved New York state's labor commissioner for the No. 3 post at the Labor Department, despite GOP claims that she gave lawmakers inaccurate testimony.

The 13-10 vote Wednesday in favor of Patricia Smith as solicitor of the agency was split along party lines.

Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi says he will place a hold on Smith to delay a confirmation vote on the Senate floor.

Enzi claims Smith misled lawmakers about her role in a New York pilot program that recruits unions and consumer groups to help uncover wage and hour violations in work places.

Smith concedes that she "misspoke" in explaining how the program was created and about plans to expand it. Democrats say there is no indication Smith was trying to hide anything.

[Associated Press; By SAM HANANEL]

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