July 03, 2003
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) said that today’s Department of Labor report showing American unemployment at the highest rate in 9 years signals yet again that the Bush Administration has reversed a once-booming economy. Today’s report showed that 30,000 jobs were lost in June, bringing the total number of jobs lost since the beginning of the Bush Administration to almost 3 million. No President in modern history has failed to create a net jobs gain for the American economy.
Unemployment in June overall climbed to 6.4%. Minorities were especially hardhit, suffering at rates well above the national average. The unemployment rate for Latinos was at 8.4%, and the unemployment rate African Americans climbed to 11.8 percent.
“These numbers show once again that the Bush Administration has driven us into a jobs depression,” said Lee. “More and more people are out of work, and they are draining their hard-earned savings as they struggle to survive.”
“Even worse, while more and more people are losing their jobs, the President gets Republicans to pass tax cuts that will benefit the wealthiest people in this country. This sham of an economy is shameful. Surely we deserve better.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls Unemployment Report Embarrassing
Unemployment at Highest Level in 9 Years
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) said that today’s Department of Labor report showing American unemployment at the highest rate in 9 years signals yet again that the Bush Administration has reversed a once-booming economy. Today’s report showed that 30,000 jobs were lost in June, bringing the total number of jobs lost since the beginning of the Bush Administration to almost 3 million. No President in modern history has failed to create a net jobs gain for the American economy.
Unemployment in June overall climbed to 6.4%. Minorities were especially hardhit, suffering at rates well above the national average. The unemployment rate for Latinos was at 8.4%, and the unemployment rate African Americans climbed to 11.8 percent.
“These numbers show once again that the Bush Administration has driven us into a jobs depression,” said Lee. “More and more people are out of work, and they are draining their hard-earned savings as they struggle to survive.”
“Even worse, while more and more people are losing their jobs, the President gets Republicans to pass tax cuts that will benefit the wealthiest people in this country. This sham of an economy is shameful. Surely we deserve better.”