FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2009
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
Sierra Club Cheers Favorable Senate Committee
Vote on Rep. Hilda Solis for Labor Secretary
Quick Action by Full Senate Urged
Washington, D.C.--Today the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee favorably reported the nomination of Representative Hilda Solis for Secretary of Labor. Today's vote comes after nearly two months of delay due to conservative lawmakers' objections to Solis' strong support for the Employee Free Choice Act, one of the Sierra Club’s top legislative priorities.
Just yesterday, thousands of Sierra Club members contacted their senators to urge an immediate confirmation vote for Solis.
Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
"We are extremely pleased that Representative Solis has cleared this crucial hurdle and we urge the full Senate to act on her nomination immediately.
"President Obama and congressional leaders have fashioned an economic recovery package based on creating millions of new green jobs and Hilda Solis has been the foremost advocate for green jobs, workers' rights, and environmental justice in the House. During this time of economic crisis, President Obama and America's working families cannot afford to be without Hilda Solis' leadership at the Department of Labor. We can think of no better person to help President Obama implement his recovery package and sweeping economic and environmental agenda.
"It's very unfortunate that objections to the Solis' strong support for the Employee Free Choice Act appear to have been the root cause of the delay in her confirmation vote. This vital and long overdue piece of legislation is right for workers, right for America, and simply the right thing to do. We look forward to working with President Obama, Secretary-designate Solis, our allies in Congress, and our friends in organized labor to pass the Employee Free Choice Act as soon as possible."
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