Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
312197037
label
AMH [Alexis M. Herman] News Clips [binder] [1]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
312197037
contentType
document
title
AMH [Alexis M. Herman] News Clips [binder] [1]
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Office of Staff Secretary (Clinton Administration)
Todd Stern's Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
312197037
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
7422166-20190774S-Seg2-001-005-2023
[Alexis Herman]
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
e380dffc4564ce95
ocrText
5-9-97
Alexis Herman Confinmation
Todd Stern
Inspector General Documents
and Newsclips
R
Box 2 OF 7
9310
INCLOSURES FILED OVERSIZE ATTACHMENTS
NARA 6832
AMH
NEWS
CLIPS
AMH NEWS CLIPS
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
Divider Title:
May 2, 1997
NOTEBOOK
HOLLYWOOD NOTES
DENIS PAQUIN-AP
THOMAS DASCHLE
SOUTH DAKOTA
COMMITTEE
Don't Step
AGRICULTURE
Anited States Senate
FINANCE
On My
INDIAN AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4103
VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Weekend
(202) 224-2321
January 8, 1993
It's been a trying
TOLL FREE 1-800-424-98094
couple of weeks
for Harrison
My Résumé Is Enclosed
of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Ford. First, his
According to Daschle spokeswoman
leading lady in
It may be a tad embarrassing to admit
Ranit Schmelzer, the Senator says
the upcoming
to writing letters of reference for peo-
he doesn't remember how he met
Six Days/Seven
ple one barely knows, but neverthe-
Huang, who became Deputy Assistant
Nights, Anne
less, that's the position taken by Sen-
Secretary at Commerce, and has no
Heche, overnight
ate minority leader Tom Daschle's
recollection of any "economic devel-
became the
staff when it comes to his hearty rec-
opment projects" the two of them col-
world's second most famous les-
ommendation of one John Huang to
laborated on. But Huang did arrange
bian. Then he learned that Fox
the Clinton transition team in 1993.
an April 1991 fund-raising lunch in
and Paramount want to open their
"I have known John Huang for four
Los Angeles for the Senator. Daschle
joint $200 million production, Ti-
years, having worked with him on a
has returned the roughly $3,000
tanic, on July 25-right up against
number of economic development
raised at that lunch from Huang and
his big summer picture, Air Force
projects," Daschle wrote to transition-
his wife Jane; James Riady, who was
One, being released by Columbia.
team head Richard Riley. "I can per-
Huang's boss at Lippo; Maria Hsia,
Ford has generated a lot of loot
sonally attest to John's strong back-
who would later co-chair the infamous
for Paramount over the years, play-
ground in trade and Pacific Rim
1996 Buddhist-temple fund raiser
ing various Indiana Jones or Tom
issues." Huang, who has become the
attended by Al Gore; and several oth-
Clancy heroes. The star reminded
symbol of shady Democratic fund rais-
ers. Daschle was not alone in recom-
Paramount of that in a Forceful call
ing, was then an executive with the
mending Huang: the businessman
to studio boss Jonathan Dolgen, in
Indonesia-based Lippo Group con-
was also tipped for a job in a recently
which he requested that Dolgen
glomerate, and interested in positions
released 1992 Democratic National
kindly get Titanic the hell out of
at Commerce, Treasury and the office
Committee memo.
-By Viveca Novak
his way. The summer is already
crowded with costly cinematic ice-
bergs, including Conspiracy Theo-
The Longest Days
ry, starring Mel Gibson and Julia
TERRY ASHE FOR TIME
Roberts, which is also supposed to
Newly confirmed Labor Secretary
open on July 25.
Alexis Herman discovered last week
The studios have known for a
that it pays to tough it out through
while that Titanic simply wouldn't
even the most protracted Senate
be shipshape in time for its July 2
confirmation battles. Below, a look at
release date. What's not clear is
Cabinet-level nominees who cooled
whether the film can be ready in
their heels the longest:
time for any summer date. The
unpalatable alternative is to hold it
NOMINEE
POST
PRESIDENT
DAYS ON HOLD
OUTCOME
for November. Until then, Fox in-
curs more than $5 million a month
A. MITCHELL
Attorney
WILSON
183
Confirmed
in interest charges.
PALMER*
General
Aug. 29, 1919
Fox studio chief Bill Mechanic
LEWIS
Commerce
EISENHOWER
152
Rejected
says the Titanic footage looks
STRAUSS*
Secretary
June 18, 1959
great and the decision to make the
NIXON
Confirmed
movie will seem a lot smarter
RICHARD
Attorney
113
KLEINDIENST*
General
June 8, 1972
once the public gets a look at it.
But given the jam-packed season,
ALEXIS
Labor
CLINTON
113
Confirmed
there's no place to park this ocean
HERMAN
Secretary
April 30, 1997
liner. Meanwhile, Air Force One
ANTHONY
CIA
CLINTON
99
Withdrawn
has been generating great buzz.
LAKE
Director
April 18, 1997
Should the Ford flick be forced
into a battle with Titanic, audi-
LAMAR
Education
BUSH
87
Confirmed
ences will have to choose between
ALEXANDER
Secretary
March 14, 1991
the two, giving Titanic a chance to
*Served as interim or acting appointee during part or all of waiting period.
sink yet again.
-By Kim Masters
Source: Senate Historical Office
28
TIME, MAY 12, 1997
Appearances
can be deceiving,
Herman says
By Edward T. Pound
get off the ground. Weaver
USA TODAY
was hired to market the pro-
ject in sub-Sahara Africa.
Alexis Herman, the former
Last fall, in a move her
White House aide who was
lawyer said was unrelated to
sworn in as Labor secretary
the project, Weaver became
Thursday, acknowledges she
a major Democratic Party
should have been more care-
contributor. She and her sis-
ful about appearances in her
ter gave $150,000 to party or-
dealings with a friend and
ganizations, state and federal
former business associate.
campaign records show.
Herman's statement was
Weaver also took Rahman
her first public comment on
to a fund-raiser in suburban
reports suggesting that she
Washington where he spoke
may/ have used her White
briefly with President Clin-
House office to benefit a
ton. Herman attended the af-
friend, Vanessa Weaver, a
fair.
Washington management con-
Rahman met Herman last
sultant. As director of the Of-
May 22 at a hotel bar in
fice of Public Liaison for the
Washington. Weaver and
past four years, Herman pro-
Yene, who have since fallen
vided extraordinary White
out, arranged the get-togeth-
House access to Weaver and
er. According to Yene, Rah-
some of her clients.
man described the difficul-
In response to a continuing
ties in-getting a federal
USA TODAY inquiry, Her-
license for the project.
man said in a
On May 28,
statement last
according to
week that pub-
"I should have
banking re-
lic officials
cords, Rahman
"must take spe-
been more
began paying
cial care to
attentive.
$15,000-a-
avoid actions
month to Inter-
that raise even
Alexis Herman
national Invest-
the appearance
ments and
of impropri-
Business Devel-
ety."
opments, the firm then
USA TODAY
Herman acknowledged
owned by Weaver and Yene.
she "should have been more
Weaver, Rahman and the
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1997
attentive to the fact that even
White House strongly disput-
social interactions might,
ed Yene's account of the
without my knowledge, serve
meeting. They said it was an
a commercial purpose for
innocuous social gathering of
others." However, she said,
only a few minutes. The satel-
she had "never used my posi-
lite project, they said, never
tion in the White House" to as-
came up. The White House
sist Weaver.
also said Herman met Rah-
The White House said
man "a few" more times but
Thursday the statement ad-
had "no recollection" of ever
dresses a number of meetings
discussing the project with
involving Herman, Weaver
him.
and others.
The satellite system is the
E. Lawrence Barcella, who
brainchild of a small Wash-
is Weaver's-lawyer, said she
ington company named Mo-
had not tried to exploit her
bile Communications Hold-
friendship with Herman.
ings, Inc., or MCHI. Last
Weaver bought Herman's
April, MCHI records show,
management consulting com-
Rahman agreed to help the
pany in 1993. Despite ques-
company find overseas fi-
tions about their ties, the Sen-
nancing. But MCHI officials
ate never explored their
said he was not authorized to
relationship during Herman's
retain the Weaver-Yene firm.
Labor confirmation hearings.
Last year, MCHI cam-
In several instances, Her-
paigned to win license ap-
man offered Weaver and
proval from the Federal
business associates access to
Communications Commis-
White House meetings or SO-
sion. The company failed but
cial functions.
has another request pending.
In another case, Herman
The White House said Her-
met with Weaver and a Singa-
man was not involved in the
pore executive named Abdul
FCC matter. However, her of-
Rahman. Rahman hired
fice did have some contact
Weaver last spring, days after
with the regulatory agency.
meeting with Herman,
On July 2, several weeks
Weaver and her partner, Lau-
after her first meeting with
rent Yene. Yene said Her-
Rahman, Herman's office
man's presence helped land
forwarded to the FCC a letter
Rahman as a client.
from a Rahman associate
Rahman was then promot-
complaining that the FCC's fi-
ing a $1.1 billion global satel-
nancial standards were bi-
lite-telephone project, which
ased against MCHI and other
needed a federal license to
small companies.
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
Divider Title:
May 1, 1997
Herman Confirmed for Cabinet
After Concession by Clinton
Democratic National Committee between, 1989
By John F. Harris and Frank Swoboda
and 1992. Herman had served as head of the
Washington Post Staff Writers
Woman's Bureau at the Labor Department in
Alexis Herman won easy approval in the Sen-
the Carter administration, but had only modest
ate yesterday to be secretary of labor, a success-
connections to organized labor in the intervening
ful end to a three-month confirmation battle that
years. Prior to her selection, several union lead-
came only after President Clinton made a last-
ers let it be known privately that they preferred
minute concession to Republicans.
other candidates.
WT
For all the controversy and delay Herman's
Moments before yesterday's vote, Nickles
nomination generated, she was ultimately swept
pronounced himself satisfied with the
into office by a wide, bipartisan vote-85 to 13.
For the administration, however, Herman's
struck, participants said, following discussions be
passage came at a cost: The White House yes-
had with White House Deputy Chief of Staff John
terday bowed to GOP demands that Clinton back
Podesta, White House congressional haiso John
off plans to issue an executive order that was de-
Hilley, and other administration officials.
signed to encourage union labor on federal con-
"I didn't have a problem with Alexis Herman
struction contracts.
being secretary of labor," said Nickles. "My pur-
Vice President Gore had announced the
pose was to make sure that the administration
planned executive order with a flourish in Febru-
does not try to legislate by executive order.
ary, a move that was widely viewed in political
"Tm delighted that this unconscionable delay
circles as a bodquet to organized labor, given in
has ended," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy @-
exchange for its support in the 1996 elections.
Mass.) "It was a mistake for Republican leader-
Sen. Don Nickles (Okla.) had led a Republican
ship to hold her nomination hostage on a sepa-
charge against the executive order, threatening
rate labor issue.'
to block a vote on Herman unless Clinton
Clinton's proposed order would have
dropped the plan. Democrats countered that
agencies to sign "project agreements". stipulating
they would bring Senate business to a standstill
that union labor would be used on
unless Republicans acted on Herman's nomina-
tracts. Such agreements are typically signed for
tion.
large, and long-term contracts such as the con
Senate and White House negotiators finessed
struction of dams. The executive order would
an end to the stalemate late yesterday, in a deal
that left both sides claiming victory, The White
not have been binding, and neither will be Clin-
House said that, instead of an executive order, it
ton's memorandum. The main differen White
would issue a "presidential memorandum" to fed-
House officials said, was that a memorandum
eral agencies that would have the same effect of
lapses when Clinton leaves office, while antixed-
encouraging union labor on large contracts.
utive order would stay in effect unless a succes-
But a spokesman for Nickles boasted that the
sor formally rescinded it.
THE
had forced the administration to back
An AFL-CIO spokeswoman said her union
down, a view that was shared by the U.S. Cham-
was "thrilled" by the outcome of the negotiation
ber of Commerce and other groups that had
Some in Clinion's own party, however, accused
been protesting the planned executive order.
him of capitulation.
White House officials said the bargain, which
A liberal. Democratic official in the House,
came together over the past two days, was clear-
who asked not to be identified, called the deal
ly worth it. Herman's confirmation leaves only
that led to Herman's passage a "complete case
one person still to be confirmed among Clinton's
by the White House.
Cabinet nominees-acting CIA director George
Gore and House Minority Leader RichardiA.
Tenet.
Gephardt, whom some Democrats expect tabe
And it ends what had amounted to a political
high-wire act by Herman as she tried to win con-
rivals for their party's nomination in 2000shate
firmation. Herman, who will be the only black
been engaged in something of a contest towin
woman in Clinton's Cabinet, had to answer ques-
the affections of big labor. Both gave specials
tions about her business affairs and her role in
yesterday praising labor yesterday at a gathering
providing the administration access to large
of American Federation of State, County and
Democratic contributors while serving as White
Municipal Employees.
THIS
House director of public liaison in the first term.
"You're not ever going to see a proposalthat
"I want to thank the Senate for its strong
undermines labor principles get past this White
show of support for Alexis Herman," Clinton said
House," Gore said. "It's not going to happen,
in a statement. "There was never any question
An hour later, Gephardt told the group that
that she was highly qualified to be secretary of
last year's overhaul of welfare signed by Clinton
labor."
and supported by Gore, was a cruel hoax on
A veteran Democrat, Herman had also served
the poor. "We have to have a set of policies
as a chief of staff to then-Commerce Secretary
this country that help real people make
Ronald H. Brown when he was chairman of the
hardt said.
ThetWashington Post
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1997
Herman Is Confirmed as Labor Secretary
After Clinton Alters Plan to Help Unions
By GLENN BURKINS
construction money to union-only contrac-
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
tors. They accuse the president of promis-
WASHINGTON-After months of delay
ing the deal to organized labor as payback
and partisan bickering, the Senate voted
for labor's support in last fall's elections.
yesterday to confirm Alexis Herman as
Denise Mitchell, the AFL-CIO's spokes-
labor secretary, filling out the final spot
woman, said labor was "just as tickled as
in President Clinton's second-term cabi-
can be" with yesterday's outcome. "I think
net.
the president helped the Republicans save
The 85-13 vote came quickly after
face on this," she said.
the White House agreed to drop plans for a
With Ms. Herman's nomination locked
labor-friendly exec-
in the Senate, both sides were eager to find
utive order that
a solution. Democrats were complaining
many GOP senators
that GOP delays were hurting the Labor
opposed. The Re-
Department, where there are several key
publicans, led by
jobs to be filled.
Oklahoma Sen. Don
Ms. Herman, 49 years old and a native
Nickles and backed
of Mobile, Ala., first came to Washington
by business groups,
with the Carter administration and wás
had vowed to block
appointed to head the Labor Department's
Ms. Herman's nom-
women's bureau. She later formed her own
ination indefinitely
business, advising employers on issues of
unless Mr. Clinton
racial and gender diversity. In the first
backed down.
Clinton term, Ms. Herman was director
In the end, each
of the White House Office of Public Liai-
side claimed vic-
Alexis Herman
son, working to build grass-roots support
tory.
for the president's policies.
The executive order would have re-
Meanwhile, a much bigger issue may
quired federal-agency heads to consider
still be unresolved: the right of President
using unionlike labor agreements on all
Clinton to issue executive orders that
federally funded construction projects. In-
Republicans don't like. Sen. Nickles had
stead, Mr. Clinton said he would issue an
complained bitterly in recent weeks that
"executive memorandum" on the matter,
Mr. Clinton was overstepping his bounds
which, according to White House officials,
with executive proclamations. As an exam-
carries much the same weight but would
ple, he pointed to Mr. Clinton's executive
expire along with Mr. Clinton's presi-
dency. An order, however, could stand
memorandum to the Food and Drug Ad-
ministration requiring retailers to check
indefinitely unless revoked or changed by
a future chief executive.
picture identifications of tobacco buyers
"I don't think I would define this as a
age 27 or younger.
compromise," said Gerald W. McEntee,
"I feel very strongly that Congress
president of the American Federation of
needs to reassert itself as the legislative
State, County and Municipal Employees
branch, and we can't allow the White
union. The difference between an execu-
House to legislate though executive or-
tive order and a memorandum, he said, "is
der." Sen. Nickles said recently.
a difference without distinction."
But with Republicans controlling both
But on the Republican side, GOP sena-
the House and Senate, the administration
tors and pro-business groups said the
has become increasingly dependent on
president backed down.
executive decrees to carry out the presi-
"The executive branch does not have
dent's agenda.
the power to change laws, and this pro-
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, some Dem-
posal would clearly have done that," said
ocrats allied with labor complained pri-
Sen. Nickles. "I have been assured by
vately that the White House had given up
White House officials that they will not
too much ground to Senate Republicans by
issue this order."
abandoning the executive order.
Critics say the proposed order would
-Michael K. Frisby
have shifted billions of dollars of federal
contributed to this article.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1997
Herman wins
Negotiators near deal
confirmation
for Labor job
on $100B net tax cut
By William M. Welch
The two sides were discussing cutting
By Jessica Lee
and Bill Nichols
taxes over five years by $135 billion to
USA TODAY
USA TODAY
$150 billion, but partially offsetting that
by about $50 billion in added revenue
WASHINGTON - The Senate con-
WASHINGTON - White House and
from renewing the airline ticket tax and
firmed Alexis Herman as the next secre-
congressional negotiators edged closer
other sources, participants said. But the
tary of Labor by an overwhelming 85-13
to striking a budget deal Wednesday -
exact figures remained unresolved.
vote Wednesday.
possibly as soon as today - as they tried
Archer said the general elements of a
The vote ended four months of wran-
to finalize a package that would include
tax-cut package were clear:
gling that embrolled Herman's nomina-
a net tax cut of about $100 billion.
A "broad-based" capital gains tax
tion in a partisan test of wills between
White House and GOP congressional
reduction "must be In the mix," he said.
the newly re-elected Democratic presi-
By Joe Marquette, AP
leaders said they remained hopeful of
Clinton keeps hinting he's open to this.
dent and a Republican-led Congress. As
Herman: Confirmed 85-13 by the Senate
reaching a bipartisan agreement this
An estate tax reduction.
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1997
White House director of public llalson
after federal hiring issue is settled
week on a plan to balance the budget
A child tax credit, which both GOP
with responsibility for building coalitions
and end federal borrowing by 2002.
leaders and President Clinton have pro-
USA TODAY
behind Clinton's policies, she became
legislative power. He put a hold on Her-
There were reports that negotiations
posed in different forms.
entangled in the White House campaign
man's nomination. Sen. Edward Kenne-
had reached the stage of haggling over
The White House, meanwhile, was try-
fund-raising scandal. Later, her nomina-
dy, D-Mass, countered by halting Senate
the way to stage the announcement of an
ing to include sufficient increases In do-
tion became enmeshed in a duel over
floor action Tuesday and threatening to
agreement. But both sides continued to
mestic spending to allow Democrats to
the extent of presidential authority.
bottle things up indefinitely.
caution that a deal was not certain.
claim victories on Issues such as chil-
After a three-month Investigation Into
The standoff ended in a draw Wednes-
House Budget Chairman John Kasich,
dren's health care, education, worker
Herman's background and qualifica-
day when Clinton announced he will is-
R-Ohio, compared the effort to climbing
training and the environment.
tions, the Senate Labor Committee unan-
sue an executive memorandum, not an
Mount Everest: "We've broken through
Congressional Democrats were not so
imously recommended on April 10 that
order. An order would carry the force of
the clouds, but we're not there yet."
sanguine. Many liberals were concerned
she be confirmed. Herman, 45, is a na-
law. A memo encourages agencies to
GOP conservatives, who had been
that both the tax cut figure and spending
tive of Mobile, Aja., former Democratic
take such action.
worried that the deal wouldn't cut taxes
reductions would be too high.
Party executive and an expert on labor
Republicans and construction Indus-
or spending as much as they want,
Emotions ran high at a closed-door
market diversity Issues.
try representatives portrayed Clinton's
seemed to be warming to the tax provi-
caucus of House Democrats Tuesday
But Senate Republicans refused to
change as a victory.
sions under discussion by negotiators.
night. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., a lib-
schedule a vote after Vice President
Herman's supporters cheered her
Rep. David McIntosh, R-Ind., said a
eral, said the tax cuts under discussion
Gore announced that the administration
long-sought confirmation. "She takes the
net tax cut of $100 billion over five years,
"could be catastrophic for the Demo-
would Issue an executive order encour-
helm at a time when the Department of
with potentially larger tax reductions if
cratic Party."
aging government agencies to award
Labor's role in the Implementation of
offsetting revenue Increases are found,
But White House officials are spend-
contracts to companies that bargain with
welfare reform and other important is-
has the potential to win conservatives'
ing lots of time trying to shore up the
workers - most often through unions-
sues is greater than ever before," said
support.
Democratic base. Clinton has pledged to
on pay and employment issues. Republi-
Wade Henderson, director of the Lead-
"The work-in-progress that John (Ka-
win a majority of Democrats in the
cans say such an order would put non-
ership Conference on Civil Rights.
sich) has been showing us looks pretty
House and Senate for any budget deal.
union businesses at a disadvantage.
President Clinton, who chose Herman
good to conservatives," McIntosh said.
The administration believes It can win
Sen. Don Nickles, R-Okla., assistant
for the job Dec. 21, Issued a statement
House Ways and Means Chairman Bill
that majority, said spokesman Mike
majority leader, also blasted Clinton's
thanking the Senate for its "strong show
Archer, R-Texas, said he too would be
McCurry, but White House officials
plan as an attempt to usurp Congress'
of support."
happy with $100 billion in net tax cuts.
know "we'd have to work It."
After Impasse, Senate Confirms
Clinton's Choice for Labor Post
2 Sides Claim Victory With Unions Compromise
AI
By JERRY GRAY
WASHINGTON, April 30 - After
"President Clinton gave up noth-
months of delay, the Senate today
ing substantial," said Senator Ed-
approved Alexis Herman as Secre-
ward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts,
the senior Democrat on the Labor
tary of Labor. Her nomination, held
Committee.
up initially over her role in campaign
He said unionized labor "will be
fund-raising, was cleared after a
considered and given important new
compromise with the White House
emphasis by all Federal agencies on
ended an impasse over union labor
appropriate Federal construction
on Federal contracts.
projects."
The confirmation vote was 85 to 13
Off the Senate floor, powerful lob-
and provided an anticlimactic post-
Intelligence unfilled. The President's
bying groups on both sides of the
script to the bitter partisan dispute
first choice for the job, Anthony
dispute continued their fight.
that had whirled for months around
"The withdrawal of this proposed
Lake, withdrew his nomination un-
Ms. Herman's nomination and had
executive order is an outright vic-
der a barrage of political questions
threatened to block Senate action on
tory for American taxpayers, con-
and the White House then nominated
an array of unrelated measures.
George Tenet, a career employee of
The vote came after President
Continued on Page A26
the C.I.A.
Clinton backed away. from his inten-
President Clinton nominated Ms.
tion to issue an executive order that
Continued From Page Al
Herman, the director of the White
would have directed Federal agen-
House Office of Public Liaison, for
cies to consider awarding large Fed-
struction workers and business, and
Labor Secretary on Jan. 7.
eral construction projects to compa-
nies with unionized labor.
a repudiation of big labor's attempt
While members on both sides of
The Senate majority leader, Trent
to buy with political contributions, a
the aisle initially spoke favorably of
Lott, said Mr. Clinton had agreed
union monopoly of Government con-
the choice, the nomination quickly
instead to achieve his aim by issuing
strúction projects," said Bruce Jos-
ran into a storm of political problems
a Presidential memorandum of un-
ten, senior vice president for the
as Senate Republicans investigated
derstanding. Republicans had ob-
United States Chamber of Com-
whether Ms. Herman had improper-
jected not only to the Government's
merce.
ly mixed her White House job with
The chamber was one of the lead-
encouraging unionized labor but also
politics. She was able to convince
to the notion of Mr. Clinton governing
ers in the lobbying effort against the
Republicans on the Labor Commit-
proposed executive order.
by executive orders. Such orders re-
tee that she had not crossed the line.
On the other side, the A.F.L.-C.I.O.
main in effect after the President
But no sooner had she put those
leveled its political broadside at the
who issued them leaves office. Mem-
Republicans.
questions and problems to rest than
orandums do not.
"By dragging their feet with one
her nomination became a political
In a brief statement that did not
partisan excuse after another, the
pawn in the fight over the Federal
mention the labor agreement, Presi-
dent Clinton thanked the Senate "for
Republican Senate leadership has
contract guidelines.
kept the Labor Department without
A senior aide to one of the Republi-
its strong show of support" of Ms.
a new leader for four months," John
can leaders said that negotiations
Herman's nomination.
J. Sweeney, the president of the huge
between Mr. Nickles' office and the
"There was never any question
labor federation, said in a statement.
White House on a deal began nearly
that she was highly qualified to be
"The delays in this process have
Secretary of Labor," he said.
two weeks ago, shortly after Mr.
been totally outrageous."
Mr. Lott and Senator Don Nickles
Nickles put a hold on the nomination.
Today's vote all but completes Mr.
of Oklahoma, who had held up the
After a series of meetings involv-
Clinton's second-term Cabinet, leav-
vote on the nomination, were among
ing senior staff members and lasting
ing only the job of Director of Central
42 Republicans who voted with 43
about five hours all together, the two
Democrats in favor of Mrs. Her-
sides finally reached agreement on
man's confirmation. The 13 votes
After the deal is
Tuesday night.
against her all came from Republi-
The deal was sealed this afternoon
cans.
made, each side is
when the Administration delivered a
The deal that broke the legislative
letter to Mr. Nickles signed by Er-
logjam provided a political face-sav-
ing for all the players involved, but
quick to claim an
skine B. Bowles, the White House
chief of staff, promising to drop the
each side was quick to claim outright
victory.
outright victory.
executive order and to issue a memo-
randum instead.
"I didn't have a problem with
Alexis Herman being Secretary of
Labor as much as I had a real prob-
-lem with what I perceived to be
legislation by executive orders,"
said Mr. Nickles, the majority whip
The New York Times
and second in rank to Mr. Lott.
Mr. Nickles said that the Adminis-
tration's proposed memorandum
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1997
was not legally binding. But White
House aides and allies in the Senate
argued that the memorandum would
have the same effect as the proposed
executive order.