The Senate confirmed Thursday two more of President Barack Obama's appointees, Tom Perez as Labor Secretary and Gina McCarthy as Environmental Protection Agency chief. Perez will become the only Latino member of Obama's cabinet, and McCarthy will be one of few women in high-profile executive posts. "Tom has lived the American dream himself, and has dedicated his career to keeping it within reach for hardworking families across the country," the White House said of Perez's confirmation. He was cleared by a vote of 54 to 46 on Thursday, McCarthy by a vote of 59 to 40. The votes got the green light after the Senate cut a deal earlier this week to avoid a showdown over changing filibuster rules, in the face of a possible GOP block to a handful of pending executive appointees.
