Today, unemployment is rising. Incomes are stagnating--while at the same time the cost of health care, housing, education, and even groceries are skyrocketing.

I believe most Americans perceive that, for the last 8 years, we've had a government that has stood with the wealthy and the powerful and ignored the needs of working families.

You have long dedicated yourself to ensuring the rights of workers in California and across the country, and I look forward to working with you at the helm of the Labor Department.

Thank you, Congresswoman Solis, for the time you will take today to answer our questions and discuss the vital work that goes on at the Department of Labor.

I strongly believe that the creation of good-paying, green collar jobs is critical to both our economic and energy security.

I look forward to working with you to restore OSHA to its mission of protecting all American workers.

I would strongly encourage us to promote this work and coordinate, prioritize and expand the work being done by these agencies.

I can think of no better leader to tackle these important challenges than you, Senator Daschle.

We have a healthcare system that is broken.

We have a health care system that is broken--impacting our families, our businesses and our competitiveness as a nation--and a Department of HHS and health agencies in desperate need of leadership.

He has made this the cause of his career and his life.

The knowledge, temperament, passion and expertise you possess will be instrumental in achieving comprehensive health care reform.