Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on agreement to extend unemployment benefits, payroll tax cut

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.

For the average worker, the tax cut means keeping about $40 in every paycheck. And for those who have lost their job through no fault of their own, unemployment insurance is a critical lifeline. In very real terms, the payroll tax cut and the extension of unemployment benefits make a huge difference in keeping nutritious food on the table, buying a warm coat, paying a heating bill, and putting gas in the car.

I very much hope that when Congress returns from their break, that they work diligently on behalf of hard working Americans, and reach a fair agreement to extend the tax cut and unemployment insurance for a full year.