WASHINGTON – Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis has issued the following statement on congressional action today on the extension of Unemployment Insurance benefits and the payroll tax cut:

"I am pleased that congressional leaders have extended both unemployment insurance benefits for the long-term unemployed, and the payroll tax cut that is critical to so many working families.

WASHINGTON – The Government Accountability Office recently released and testified today on its report titled Workforce Investment Act: Innovative Collaborations Between Workforce Boards and Employers Helped Meet Local Needs (GAO-12-97). Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis has issued the following statement:

Budget reflects fiscal responsibility while investing in job training and worker protection

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today outlined its part of the president's fiscal year 2013 budget request to Congress, which focuses on efficiently achieving the department's goals while exercising fiscal restraint.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the January 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market posted strong gains in the month of January. The economy added 257,000 private sector jobs last month, exceeding expectations, while the unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent – its lowest level since February 2009. These numbers show that the labor market continues on a positive trajectory.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement commemorating National African-American History Month:

Contest will engage developers to address wage gap through innovative use of data

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today on union members in 2011:

"Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that, in 2011, the unionization rate of employed wage and salary workers was 11.8 percent, essentially unchanged from 11.9 percent in 2010. Among private sector employees, the rate remained at 6.9 percent.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the December 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's strengthening labor market posted broad-based growth in the month of December. Nonfarm payroll employment added 200,000 jobs, exceeding expectations, and the unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent, its lowest level in nearly three years.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the recess appointment of Sharon Block to the National Labor Relations Board. Block currently serves as the U.S. Department of Labor's deputy assistant secretary of labor for congressional affairs.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the agreement to extend the payroll tax cut and Unemployment Insurance benefits:

I m delighted, particularly as Americans look forward to spending the holidays with family and loved ones, that members of Congress have put partisan politics behind and reached an agreement on extending the payroll tax cuts and Unemployment Insurance benefits.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the November 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's unemployment rate experienced a significant drop to 8.6 percent in November, a full 1.2 percentage points lower than this time last year. Nonfarm payroll employment added 140,000 private sector jobs last month. This means we've added 1.9 million private sector jobs over the past year – an average of 157,000 a month.

WASHINGTON – In commemoration of World AIDS Day, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis released the following statement highlighting the U.S. Department of Labor's ongoing efforts in the global fight against HIV/AIDS:

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the Nov. 8 Ohio labor referendum, in which a majority of voters rejected a state law limiting collective bargaining:

"Last night, Ohio voters delivered a bona fide victory for public sector workers everywhere.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the October 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market posted stable growth in the month of October. The economy added 104,000 private sector jobs last month, and we also added 102,000 more jobs than had previously been reported in August and September. The unemployment rate dropped to 9 percent, its lowest level in six months.

$68,000 in prizes awarded for innovative use of department data

Partners include Facebook, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, DirectEmployers Association and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the September 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

WASHINGTON – The most up-to-date employment data and economic news releases from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics and its Employment and Training Administration now can be viewed using a new mobile application.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement calling on Congress to create export-driven jobs by ratifying free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, and to pass a robust Trade Adjustment Assistance program:

"For the sake of our economic recovery, we must open new markets to American-made goods and services. These three agreements are the result of intensive negotiations that put America first. They'll ensure that we're exporting American products, not paychecks, abroad.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement to mark National Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

"This month, Americans from all walks of life lock hands to send a message that this country will not tolerate domestic violence. Every day, three women in America die at the hands of a violent abuser. We must redouble our efforts to prevent these senseless tragedies.