DeLauro Statement on August Unemployment Numbers

Statement

DeLauro Statement on August Unemployment Numbers

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) issued the below statement following an announcement by the Labor Department that the economy shed another 84,000 jobs in August and the unemployment rate jumped to 6.1 percent from 5.7 percent in July - it's highest level since September 2003. Additionally, in August, the average weekly salary of rank and file - increased 3.6 percent - below the rate of inflation.

"Just a few short days after President Bush said that the economy is on the upswing, the unemployment rate jumped to 6.1 percent in August -its highest level in five years - with more than 600,000 jobs lost this year. At a time when high gas and food prices are stretching families' budgets, these job losses mean that many more will be at a breaking point.

What more proof do we need that the Bush economic policies do not work? For 8 years this administration has embraced the kind of economic strategy that rewards a wealthy few while putting middle class families at risk, and pretending that all is well. We cannot afford more of the same.

We have a responsibility to respond swiftly with a second economic stimulus package focused primarily on job creation, training, and helping hard-working families to get back on their feet. We must do everything in our power to ensure economic growth, if we want everyone to share in America 's promise of prosperity, and that begins and ends with jobs."

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