Murray Statement on Senate Confirmation of Hilda Solis to be Secretary of Labor

Press Release

Murray Statement on Senate Confirmation of Hilda Solis to be Secretary of Labor

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted 80-17 to confirm Rep. Hilda Solis of California to serve as President Obama's Secretary of Labor. As Chairman of the HELP Committee's Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee, Senator Murray is at the forefront of Congressional efforts to protect and strengthen America's workforce.

"Today, we learned that an estimated 303,570 Washington workers are now unemployed and looking for work - the largest number ever in our state. Those families are wondering how they'll be able to pay the bills, avoid foreclosure, afford health care, or save for retirement. And they need an advocate in the new Administration who will make their voice heard as we work to repair our country's economy.

"Representative Hilda Solis a terrific choice for the job, and I am so pleased that the Senate has voted to confirm her. She is a dedicated public servant, a champion for workers' rights, and I know she will join me in fighting day and night for working families.

"For the last eight years, workers have felt like they were an afterthought of the previous Administration. I look forward to standing with Secretary Solis and President Obama to put working families first again. By fighting for expanded worker training, improved job safety, family-friendly work policies and many other issues, we can help working families feel secure and get ahead."

Earlier in the day, Senator Murray delivered a speech on the Senate floor urging her colleagues to support Solis' confirmation.

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