In recognition of Labor Day, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement:

"This Labor Day we honor and remember American workers, who have always been the foundation of America's economic success. We thank working Americans of the past and present for their hard work, perseverance and dedication to their families, communities and America. It is their hard work that has made America the great country it is. Today, while we celebrate the contributions of the American worker, we also renew our resolve to fight on behalf of working men and women and make sure their future is as bright as their past.

"We must also remember the important contributions the labor movement has made to our nation and the Democratic Party. Organized labor has been a strong voice in the Democratic Party and a tireless advocate for millions of American workers from many professions and every corner of the country. We have all benefited from the labor movement's efforts.

"In order for America's economy to continue to thrive, America needs to have a strong, well-trained and well-educated workforce that is ready to tackle every challenge. That is why President Obama and Democrats in Congress are continuing to implement policies to create jobs and grow the economy. On this Labor Day, we redouble our commitment to making sure that every American who wants a job has one."

Last night during the House vote on the debt deal, members received an unexpected visit from one of their own: Rep. Gabby Giffords. It was Giffords' first appearance since being attacked by a gunman earlier in the year.

As she entered through the back of the chamber, members rose to their feet in applause and C-Span cameras captured her colleagues assembling to welcome her back. It was a very human moment in an otherwise contentious set of weeks. 

Several senators and members shared their thoughts on Twitter:

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz: 
Proud of my friend Gabby @Rep_Giffords! She melted even the hardened, debt-ceiling-grisled hearts in the House chamber w/ triumphant return!

Rep. Steve Israel: 
Honored to have my friend and colleague @Rep_Giffords back voting with us tonight

Senator Akaka: 
Welcome back Congresswoman Giffords! We are so happy to see you return to Capitol Hill. Wishing you continued success on your recovery

In response to RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, the head of the national Republican Party, saying on ABC’s Topline today that the August 2nd debt limit deadline is “not the end of the world,” DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

Chairman Priebus is not the first Republican to suggest that it would be fine for the U.S. to default on its obligations and fail to raise the debt limit, but as the head of the Republican Party his comment that doing so is ‘not the end of the world’ is among the most irresponsible. Never before has the United States defaulted on our obligations and economists agree that going into default would have catastrophic consequences for our economic recovery and repercussions in financial markets across the globe. If we were to default on our obligations our economy could crater and significant pain and hardship would fall on our nation’s most vulnerable citizens including seniors, the poor, the middle class and young people.

This sort of reckless rhetoric is detrimental to the efforts of President Obama and Congressional leaders to find a responsible solution to getting our fiscal house in order in a balanced way and meeting our nation’s obligation to pay its bills. Instead of playing politics and risking default to appeal to the most extreme elements of their base, Republicans should use this opportunity to reach a meaningful compromise to put our country on firmer financial footing.

This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the April jobs report. According to that report, American employers added 244,000 jobs in April, including 268,000 private sector jobs, the fastest pace of private sector job growth in five years. The unemployment rate ticked up two-tenths of a percentage point as more workers were encouraged to join the labor force and look for work. In response, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement:

In April, the economy continued a strong trend of hiring, anchored by private sector employers who added 268,000 jobs. This now marks the 14th consecutive month of private sector growth during which we've created more than two million jobs - a clear sign the economy continues to recover. While we welcome the overall growth in jobs last month, work still remains to ensure every American who wants a job has an opportunity to compete for one.

And that's why President Obama and Democrats in Congress continue to fight for policies that will grow our economy and help us win the future by out-educating, out-innovating and out-building the rest of the world. By investing in education, infrastructure and clean energy; by supporting small businesses which are the engines of job growth; and by eliminating spending on initiatives we can no longer afford and getting our fiscal house in order; we will continue to add jobs and be competitive in a global economy. 

But while more remains to be done, after more than four months in power in the House of Representatives, Republicans haven't lifted a finger or offered a single bill to accelerate job growth or help middle and working class families get ahead. Republicans have contributed nothing to this debate other than more pessimism and the very policies that drove our economy into the ditch in the first place. 

It is my fervent hope that Republicans will join Democrats going forward in building on the policies we have pursued over the past two years which put our economy on the road to recovery.