CONYERS: JOBS REPORT REPRESENTS PROGRESS, BUT AMERICA IS STILL FAR FROM FULL EMPLOYMENT

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman John Conyers (MI-13), founder of the Congressional Full Employment Caucus, released the following statement after the Department of Labor released its jobs report for September 2014:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“Today’s jobs report represents real progress for the American people.  The economy added 248,000 new jobs, and the unemployment rate is now below 6% for the first time since July 2008.  Under President Obama’s leadership, we’ve experienced 55 consecutive months of private-sector job growth.

“While today’s headline unemployment numbers are clear evidence that we’re on the right track, other statistics reveal the need for strong and sustained action. The unemployment rates for African-Americans and young Americans are still in the double digits.  Nearly 19 million people across the country are still searching for full time work.  The percentage of Americans in the workforce remains below pre-recession levels because millions of people have become too discouraged to continue to seek work.  Wages have remained stagnant.  For these reasons, it is important to note that the official unemployment rate does not adequately reflect the lived experience of a large part of the population.

“The policy implications are clear:  The Federal Reserve must hold off on policy changes that deliberately slow the US economy.  Congress must listen to the clear majority of Americans and pass comprehensive legislation to create jobs and boost wages.  From the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Training Act (HR 1000) to the updated and upgraded American Jobs Act (HR 2821), there is no shortage of proven and fully paid-for legislative options. 

“President Obama said it best in his speech yesterday at Northwestern University: ‘When the typical family isn’t bringing home any more than it did in 1997, then that means it’s harder for middle-class Americans to climb the ladder of success.’  It’s time to renew focus on achieving full employment, dignified work, and living wages for all Americans.”

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