Blog Post

The Senate's confirmation of Secretary Hilda Solis begins a sorely needed new era at the Department of Labor. Working together, President Obama, Secretary Solis, and the Congress will once again put the Labor Department on the side of working people who deserve fair wages, safe workplaces, job training to compete and win in the global economy, and the right to organize and bargain collectively.

Secretary Solis is uniquely qualified to lead the Labor Department in this new era due to her long record of fighting for better wages, protecting worker safety, and securing their pension.

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Today, the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation is holding a hearing to receive testimony on the US Airways Flight 1549 Accident. On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 ditched into the Hudson River at approximately 3:30 pm following a double-engine failure while in route to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. There were 150 passengers onboard and five flight crew. All 155 people onboard survived.

Capt. Chesley B Sullenberger III Testifies:

Speaker Pelosi sent the following letter today to House Committee Chairs, asking them to schedule oversight hearings to examine the budgets of federal agencies under their jurisdiction saying, "as our nation continues to confront severe budget deficits as a result of unsound economic policy and lax regulation over the last eight years, it is essential that, as we advance our priorities, House Committees also conduct rigorous oversight of all aspects of federal spending and government operations to help achieve deficit reduction and long-term fiscal responsibility."

The letter:

President Obama's unveiling of his Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan represents a comprehensive strategy to reduce record foreclosures and stop the nationwide plunge in home values. Addressing the foreclosure crisis is essential to get our economy moving again.

Congress stands ready to complement the Administration's efforts by acting on Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers' legislation to reform our bankruptcy laws, so that judges can modify mortgages and responsible homeowners can stay in their homes.

Today, less than one month after taking office, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, answering the calls of the American people for urgent action to turn around our economy and create millions of jobs.

The Congress and the President understand the deep apprehension that the American people feel -- about their jobs, their health care, and the economic security of their families.

Today, President Obama will sign the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Learn more about how the legislation will help you and your state by reading these fact sheets from the White House:

This afternoon, the House observed a moment of silence for the families and victims of the tragic commuter plane crash outside of Buffalo, N.Y. late last night which killed all 49 people on board and one person in a home.

Speaker Pelosi: