On February 4, 2010, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Patricia Smith to be Solicitor of Labor by a vote of 60 to 37.  A vote had been held on February 1 to end a filibuster on Smith’s nomination by Senate Republicans.

The New York Times reported today that some Republican Senators complained that Smith’s nomination was rushed through before Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts (R) was sworn in eliminating the Democrats’ filibuster-proof majority.