Fighting for Job Creation

Statement

Recently New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg expressed his concerns that the tough job market in our nation may lead to riots like those attributed to what some have collectively called "The Arab Spring" in Egypt, across the Middle East and North Africa. With the need to create jobs readily apparent, this is a fear many share. New York's unemployment rate rose from 8.6 percent in July to 8.7 percent in August. The national unemployment rate remains at 9.1 percent with communities of color showing even more disheartening numbers. In the African American community it sits at 16.7 percent and at 11.3 percent unemployment in the Hispanic community.

We cannot wait for the invisible hand of industry to begin hiring. We must do everything we can to legislatively address job creation. To this end, I recently introduced the H.R. 2921, "The Expanding Opportunities for Small Business Act of 2011." This bill provides more opportunities for women, minority and veteran owned small businesses by working to achieve a 3 percent increase in the number of socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses that have access to federal contracts. Last week, President Obama presented his jobs plan to the nation. The American Jobs Act will put teachers, first responders, and construction workers back to work, as well as extend unemployment benefits to those still seeking a job. I encourage all of my colleagues, particularly those in the House majority to work in a bi-partisan manner to address job creation. Employment is by far, what the American people want and need.

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