Lee Statement on February Jobs Report
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882
Washington, D.C.– Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing a continuing decline in unemployment rates:
“I am encouraged by today’s jobs report, showing a gain of 227,000 jobs in February and adding 50,000 jobs to the January tally for 293,000 jobs that month. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 12.8 million are unemployed. While the national unemployment rate remains unchanged at 8.3%, February marks the 24th consecutive month of private sector job growth.
“Now more than ever we must focus our efforts at rapidly reducing unemployment, especially among those hardest hit which continue to be youth (23.8%), Hispanics (10.7%), and African Americans (14.1%). The number of those without a job for longer than 27 weeks was unchanged at 5.4 million, and accounted for 42.6% percent of the unemployed in February.
“Americans want to work. Americans want to participate more fully in America’s economy, support their family, and earn a living wage. Job creation remains the best way to get our economy back on track. We must invest in programs and projects that create jobs. We must specifically address long-term and chronic unemployment. And we must act immediately.
“The Department of Labor reports that nearly one million jobless workers will exhaust their benefits by May, another million by August, and another million by the end of the year. Nearly 3 million families will be abruptly cut off this year as emergency extensions of unemployment insurance run out and they find themselves with no income and nowhere to turn. Congress must be prepared to act to extend unemployment benefits for those who will exhaust their benefits. It is incumbent upon this Congress to ensure that our bridge is strong enough to deliver us all – even the most vulnerable – over these troubled waters.
“While it is clear that progress is being made, Republicans must join Democrats in creating jobs and reigniting the American Dream for all. Until Republican leaders in the House can pass President Obama’s American Jobs Act, or put forth any kind of reasonable plan for job creation, we must provide jobless workers with temporary assistance to meet their basic needs while they focus on getting a job. My bill, H.R. 589, provides this lifeline. Not only do jobless workers need assistance for food and shelter month to month, but unemployed workers immediately spend the assistance – which stimulates the economy and contributes to job growth. It is far past time we act.”
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