We cannot continue to fiddle as the economy burns. It is urgent for the American people to have an aggressive, emergency economic recovery plan that will put people back to work and keep families in their homes, and a strong Department of Labor

Today’s job losses show that we are staring down the barrel of a gun of a long-term economic crisis: 598,000 jobs were lost in January alone, the worst monthly job loss since 1974; we lost 207,000 manufacturing jobs, the largest one-month decline since 1982; and we lost 3.6 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007 – almost half of those just in the last three months.

Jobless workers are not getting benefits on time. Small businesses are all but drowning. But even as the economy crumbles around us, Senate opponents are continuing to block the confirmation of the Secretary of Labor and trying to cut crucial aid – particularly the funds for state and local governments – from the economic recovery plan for partisan and ideological reasons.

Enough is enough. Senate Republicans can’t just oppose a Secretary of Labor because she supports working Americans and favors curbing excessive corporate power. They need to stop obstructing and confirm Rep. Solis now.

Already, working families across the country are sending a strong message to Senate Republicans: Stop delaying and pass a recovery package NOW.

Beginning today, working Americans across the country will be calling and writing Congress to make their voices heard in support of Congresswoman Solis. Progressive organizations – including women’s and Hispanic groups – will be joining the efforts to demand that Senate Republicans stop blocking Congresswoman Solis because she supports working Americans.

Contact: Alison Omens/Eddie Vale , 202-637-5018