Scott Statement on June 2017 Jobs Report

Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added a total of 222,000 jobs in June, with the unemployment rate at 4.3 percent.

“Today’s jobs report is encouraging and shows that the economic gains that were made in the aftermath of the Great Recession remain strong. While President Trump complained about similar economic data during last year’s campaign, I am pleased that he has now accepted that the efforts of his predecessor were successful.

“With that said, I am concerned that Congressional Republicans continue to push an agenda that will undermine the gains made since the 2008 recession. Just last week, for example, the Majority advanced three anti-union bills that would sabotage workers’ ability to organize and collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions. In addition, Congressional Republicans still have not put forward any comprehensive jobs plan, or infrastructure bill – despite the President’s own desire to see a robust jobs and infrastructure plan pass Congress.

“Democrats want to work with our Republican colleagues to make sure that we continue to grow our economy and promote economic security for working families. That is why Congressman Keith Ellison and I introduced the Raise the Wage Act, a bill that would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour. I have also introduced legislation that would invest in school infrastructure and create nearly 2 million jobs. Democrats on the Education and the Workforce Committee have also launched the Aim Higher initiative, which would ensure that all Americans have access to a meaningful degree that costs less money and leads to a good-paying job. Unfortunately, the Majority has not yet scheduled a single hearing on any of our proposals. I hope that based on today’s jobs report they will seriously consider our proposals and work with us to ensure that Congress and the President enact policies that continue to grow our economy and uplift working families.” 

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