Congresswoman Lee's Statement on the November Jobs Report
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement upon the release of the Department of Labor’s November Jobs Report. The report announced an additional 321,000 jobs were created yet the unemployment rate held at 5.8 percent, the lowest unemployment rate since July 2008. November marks the 58th consecutive month of private sector job growth as businesses added 314,000 jobs.
“I am pleased to see continued private sector job gains that build on the longest uninterrupted period of private sector job growth.
Yet the recovery remains unequal and too many are still being left behind.
There was little change in the number of the long-term unemployed.
The unemployment rate for African Americans increased slightly to 11.1 percent and continues to be more than twice the unemployment rate for white Americans.
Furthermore, the unemployment rate amongst Latinos, while declining, continues to be significantly higher than the white unemployment rate.
The facts are clear, our economy is growing and jobs are being created. Yet, we cannot leave anyone behind as we continue working to grow our economy and create good-paying jobs.
My bill, Pathways Out of Poverty (H.R. 5352), is a good start. It uses proven, evidence-based solutions to create good-paying jobs which are ladders of opportunity for American families, while providing a strong bridge over troubled water for those still struggling.
In Congress’s last week of session, I hope my colleagues will come together and pass legislation to ensure that this economic recovery reaches all American families.”
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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.