Post by bot on Sept 4, 2016 16:37:56 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement on August Jobs Report
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the Department of Labor released its jobs report for August:
“Today’s jobs report for August shows an American economy continuing to grow after recovering from the worst recession any of us can remember. With 126,000 private jobs created and the unemployment rate holding at just 4.9%, the gains we’ve seen over the past several years have brought our economy back to a position of strength. Now our challenge as a nation is to ensure that our economy works for every American – that everyone who is working hard to grow our economy can share in the prosperity it brings – and to make certain that everyone who still seeks a good job can find one. In a few weeks, the American people will have a chance to decide which direction they want our country to take: to return to the policies that threw our economy into recession and created the wide gap between the wealthiest and everyone else or to continue forward on the path of growing jobs and expanding opportunity.
“House Democrats are determined that the economic policies Congress sets should not to stop at recovery but pursue a full resurgence that spreads opportunity widely. To achieve that goal, we’re promoting a new Make It In America plan to expand innovation and entrepreneurship, close the skills gap, build a twenty-first century infrastructure, and break down barriers to manufacturing here at home. Congress ought to be on the side of those who are working hard to move our economy forward and secure a place in our middle class – not telling them they’re on their own. With our economy changing as a result of new technology and new market forces, Americans deserve to have every advantage to make those changes work for them, not against them. That’s why House Democrats won’t rest until our workers and entrepreneurs have all the tools they need to make it in America – tools like a higher minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, more affordable higher education, and access to innovative maker spaces and startup capital.
“With the House returning to session on Tuesday, Republicans have a chance to get serious and work in good faith with Democrats to end the gridlock and advance Make It In America legislation that will help create good jobs and expand opportunity. I hope they will choose to set partisanship aside and work with Democrats to turn our economic recovery into the economic resurgence our nation deserves.”