Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on November Jobs Report
Oakland, CA - Today, the Department of Labor announced that November marked the 69th consecutive month of private sector job growth. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, chair of the Democratic Whip’s Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity, released this statement:
“Today’s job report is yet more evidence of sustained progress in our nation’s economic recovery. November marks the 69th consecutive month of private sector job growth – the longest sustained period of growth in U.S. history.
Clearly, President Obama’s efforts to jumpstart the economy are succeeding.
Sadly, many Congressional Republicans are working to undermine this progress. With another government shutdown looming, the American people simply cannot afford another manufactured crisis from Congressional Republicans. It’s past time for Republican leaders to stop gambling with our economic growth and start creating good-paying jobs for American families.
While today’s report shows momentum in our economy, still too many families are still being left behind.
The African American and Latino unemployment rates remain unchanged and are significantly higher than the rate for white Americans. The African American unemployment rate (9.4%) is more than twice the rate for white Americans (4.3%). Similarly, the unemployment rate among Latinos (6.4%) is more than two full points higher than the unemployment rate for their white counterparts.
As our economy recovers, Congress cannot allow anyone to be left behind. It’s past time for Congress to act on poverty and unemployment by creating good-paying jobs, expanding workforce training, investing in our nation’s vital infrastructure and raising the minimum wage while working towards a living wage.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.