They need someone who believes--as I do--that investing in them is investing in our future.

But I'm encouraged that the Department of Labor will soon have a leader who will restore public confidence, in its ability to serve workers well.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling this hearing to quickly move forward on the confirmation of Representative Solis as the next Secretary of Labor.

Ensuring a smooth and timely transition for this critical Cabinet position sends an important message to America's workers that they are absolutely essential to our economic recovery efforts.

the efforts that have been made so far to strengthen our banks and unfreeze the credit markets and stabilize this housing market have really failed to generate any confidence with the American people or with the markets.

But is this specific proposal one that you are looking at?

This is an obligation, and I am looking for at least $6.5 billion in the fiscal year 2010 request when the details are finally announced.

Well, in honesty in budgets, that is probably a proposal that is DOA when it gets here.

We have got to educate people today for the jobs that are going to be out there.

the Economic Recovery Plan, whose focus is on the EM sites, needs nationwide to reduce their footprint

I want to make sure that we agree that the Federal Government has a moral and legal obligation to clean up those sites across the country.