Van Hollen Statement on the April Jobs Report

Statement

Today Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Assistant to the Speaker, issued the following statement on the April jobs report from the Department of Labor, which showed that the economy added 290,000 jobs:

"Today the Department of Labor announced that the economy added 290,000 jobs in the month of April -- a higher than expected increase and the most significant one month gain in four years. Using revised numbers, this makes April the fourth straight month of employment growth in a row. This is good news for the economy and an encouraging sign for our country that more people, who were once discouraged from seeking employment, are now moving back into the workforce. And it is further confirmation that the steps taken to stabilize the economy are moving us in the right direction.

"We have a long way to go to pull us back from the economic crisis that the Bush Administration left us, but this is another strong sign that we are on the right path. As Democrats continue to work to secure the economic futures of middle class families, encourage small business growth, and build a stronger foundation for the American economy, Republicans in Congress continue to recycle their economic policies that favor Wall Street, the big oil companies, and health insurance companies instead of folks on Main Street. It is disappointing that it appears the only jobs the GOP are concerned about are their own.

"I hope that today's numbers will encourage them to work with us instead of rooting against the success of policies that are working."

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