Job Creation Must be the Top Priority for Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said that while the economy is moving in the right direction, job creation must be at the top of Congress’ agenda.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the nation’s unemployment rate dropped from 9.4 percent to 9.0 percent in January. The nation also logged another month of private-sector job creation. In the last year, 1.1 million private-sector jobs have been created – the most since 2006.

 

“Today's job numbers tell us two things. First, the economy continues to move in the right direction after the worst recession in more than half a century. And, second, job growth is still not good enough,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. “That's why job creation must become priority No. 1 for the new Congress, as it already is for the American people. Instead of fighting the battles of the past to appease their base, Republicans should join Democrats in our effort to create jobs now and rebuild our country.”

 

Earlier this week, House Democrats gathered in Washington to hear ideas on job creation. Witnesses, including Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and others, emphasized urgent actions that Congress should take to create jobs and engage the private sector in rebuilding America through the improvement of schools, hospitals, highways, ports and other transportation facilities needed for manufacturing and trade.