AFL-CIO praises secretary of labor nominee

"We\’re confident that she will return to the Labor Department one of its core missions—to defend workers’ basic rights in our nation\’s workplaces," Sweeney said in a statement.

"She\’s proven to be a passionate leader and advocate for all working families. In fact, she\’s voted with working men and women 97 percent of the time."

A member of Congress since 2001, Solis co-authored the Green Jobs Act, which later became part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Green Jobs Act authorized $125 million for workforce training programs targeted to veterans, displaced workers, at-risk youth and individuals in families under 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

Sierra Club President Carl Pope said Solis was one of the earliest and most vocal House supporters of green jobs.

"We can think of no better person to help President-elect Obama implement his plans for an economic recovery fueled by the creation of millions of new green jobs," Pope said. "Hilda Solis also understands that green jobs must also be good jobs and has worked to make sure that the clean-energy economy is one that lifts up all workers."

Solis also voted for and supports the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to join unions to improve their wages and working conditions.

James Parks writes for the AFL-CIO blog, where this article originally appeared.