Ranking Member Scott Statement on January Jobs Report
WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 130,000 jobs in January, and the unemployment rate ticked down from 4.4 percent to 4.3 percent.
“The economy is not working for the American public. Since President Trump’s so-called ‘Liberation Day,’ more Americans are out of work and struggling to find a good job. And even people who have found stable employment are being squeezed by the high cost of living, health care, housing, childcare, and utilities. Too many people who work hard can't afford the little extras to have a good life – like owning a home, taking your family on vacation, or going out to eat.
“Today’s jobs report validates the failure of this administration’s economic policies. The revised Bureau of Labor Statistics report finds that the total number of jobs created in calendar year 2025, when President Trump returned to office, was only 181,000 — a number the Biden Administration typically exceeded in a single month during his term in office. And while President Biden did not experience a month of job loss until President Trump was sworn in, the Trump Administration has already experienced three months of job loss in the first 11 months of this term. That is not the kind of economic performance working families were promised.
“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the portion of U.S. GDP heading to workers in the form of compensation is now at its lowest level in its more than 75-year history. That means workers are increasingly taking home a smaller share of the wealth they helped create despite increased productivity. At the same time, wealth at the very top has surged—over the past year alone, the 10 richest U.S. billionaires increased their fortunes by nearly $700 billion.
“An economy cannot be considered strong when people are working harder but are falling further behind. Congressional Democrats are committed to policies that lower costs, raise wages, and make it possible not just to survive—but to thrive.”
To see a chart comparing the cumulative seasonally adjusted job change by month between President Trump's first and second terms, and President Biden's presidency, click here.
To see a chart comparing the total job change between President Trump's first 12 months and President Biden's first 12 months in office, click here.
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