Statement of U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis On June 2009 employment numbers

/PRNewswire / -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the June 2009 Employment Situation report released today:

"Today's news is a reminder of the severity of the economic problem that this administration inherited and continues to illustrate the pressing needs of American working families.

"The president and I are keenly aware of the challenges Americans are facing and their struggle is the single-most important focus of this administration. We will not be satisfied until we are seeing robust monthly job growth, delivering income gains to American families across the economic spectrum.

"When this administration took office, the economy was shedding jobs at a rate of 700,000 per month. This past June our economy lost 467,000 jobs, bringing the total number of jobs lost since this recession began to 6.5 million. The overall unemployment rate increased to 9.5 percent.

"As the administration's policies take hold there are signs that the economy is gaining strength. Consumer confidence is rising and the housing and financial markets are stabilizing.

"Through our urgent efforts we are helping millions of Americans who have lost their jobs to regain their footing in the workplace and to lay the foundation for a new and robust economy.

"The department has released more than $57 million in National Emergency Grants to help communities cope with mass layoff events and other emergencies.

"We additionally have released $1.7 billion in incentive payments to states that update their unemployment insurance eligibility requirements so that more workers -- including recent entrants to the workforce and part-time workers -- can access benefits. So far 25 states and the District of Columbia have qualified for these payments.

"We are moving swiftly to protect workers who have lost their jobs and to provide new training opportunities so that workers can upgrade their skills and prepare for new employment in growing and emerging sectors like green jobs and health care.

"The Department of Labor recently awarded 98 grants, totaling more than $25 million, through our Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. This program provides approximately 15,000 veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers.

"It is also of vital importance that we help our next generation succeed in the workforce. We have distributed $50 million for Youth Build programs to expand services to at-risk youth and our Summer Youth Employment program will help employ more than 200,000 youth this summer. These efforts come in addition to the $2.5 billion in Recovery Act funds recently announced by the Vice President to help states support their education budgets.

"The Recovery Act is providing much needed relief to the economy. At this very moment, 1,900 highway projects are already under way as $19 billion in transportation construction funds have been put to work. An additional $4 billion in loans and grants are creating jobs by bringing broadband service to un-served and underserved communities across America.

"We are living through a time of extraordinary challenges, but Americans have long demonstrated an ability to face adversity with the dignity and strength necessary to achieve change. As I meet with workers all across this country, I am even more confident that we can meet these challenges with the same resilient attitude and commitment to innovation that has characterized our nation throughout its history."

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Statement of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on COBRA subsidy under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the premium reduction under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA):

"America's workers and employers are the most productive in the world. With the labor and capital markets under financial stress, the Obama Administration is working to provide relief to American families. In February, the President signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create jobs, provide training opportunities for new jobs, extend unemployment benefits and help relieve the burden of health benefits.

"These programs are vitally important to the economic well-being of people who lost their jobs. Right now the federal government is beginning to implement the law to meet some of the basic needs of its citizens.

"The ARRA provides a 65 percent tax subsidy for the cost of health benefits, making them more affordable for the unemployed and their families. Millions of individuals, including those who previously declined employer-provided coverage under COBRA, will be eligible to receive a subsidy on their premiums for up to nine months.

"Today the Labor Department is publishing more information to help the public understand how the program works and how they can qualify for the premium subsidy for continuation of health coverage under private, state and federal programs. The model notices we are releasing enable employers to quickly spell out for former employees and their families how to take advantage of COBRA coverage and the subsidy.

"This administration is committed to putting Americans back to work so they can re-build the financial fabric of their lives. And the Labor Department is working quickly to make that happen."

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Republican National Committee: Will Rep. Hilda Solis Face Questions About Her Own Support for Secret Ballots for Congress But Not for Workers?

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Republican National Committee:

Today, The U.S. Senate Will Hold A Hearing For President-Elect Obama's Department Of Labor Nominee, Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA):

Solis Will Be Testifying At Her Senate Confirmation Hearing On Friday. "On Friday, Mr. Kennedy's panel will question Representative Hilda Solis, who has been chosen to be the Labor Secretary." (Kate Philips, "Confirmation Hearings Update," The New York Times' "The Caucus" Blog, thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com, 1/7/09)

In 2007, Solis Signed A Letter Protesting The Absence Of A Secret Ballot For The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election:

Solis Joined Other Female Democrats To Protest The Fact That The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election Was Held Without The Traditional Secret Ballot. "[Rep. Loretta] Sanchez said that beyond the personal problems she has with Baca, the fact that the caucus' election was held without the traditional secret ballot was a key issue she has with the group. Sanchez, her sister, Rep. Linda Sanchez, and Reps. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y. and Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, wrote a letter to Baca on Jan. 5 calling for a new election." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County Register, 2/2/07)

-- The Letter Argued That "It Is Imperative That Our Caucus' Integrity Be
Unquestioned." "'As we prepare for the 110th Congress in which the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus will have the opportunity to play a more
prominent role, we believe it is imperative that our Caucus' integrity
be unquestioned,' they said in the letter. The letter got no
response." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County
Register, 2/2/07)


But Solis Supports The "Employer Free Choice Act," Which Would Get Rid Of The Secret Ballot For Workers:

Solis Co-Sponsored The "Employer Free Choice Act." (H.R. 800, Introduced 2/5/07)

Solis: "I rise in support of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act. As the daughter of union family -- my father was a Teamster and my mother worked tirelessly for twenty five years -- I know that my seven siblings and I would not be where we are today without the wages, health coverage and retirement benefits my parents received." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)

Solis: "The Employee Free Choice Act provides more protections for workers, and levels the playing field for those who want to join a union. I urge you to vote for H.R.800." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)

Solis Received High Marks From Labor Unions:

Solis Has A 97 Percent Lifetime Rating From The AFL-CIO. (AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)

-- In 2007, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From The AFL-CIO.
(AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)


Solis Has A 100 Percent Career Rating From AFSCME. (AFSCME Website, www.afscme.org, Accessed 1/8/09)

In 2008, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From SEIU. (SEIU Website, capwiz.com, Accessed 1/8/09)

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