Scott Statement on November 2016 Jobs Report
WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added a total of 178,000 jobs in November, with the unemployment rate at 4.6 percent.
“The November jobs report shows that our economy added 178,000 jobs, and continues to move forward from the worst economic crisis in a generation. There is no doubt we have made great strides the last eight years, but our commitment to creating a more balanced and fair economy remains a priority.
“As we enter the holiday season, millions of working people were expecting to see a positive change in their schedules or their paychecks. December 1, 2016, marked the day the newly updated overtime rule was set to go into effect for workers who earn under $47,476 annually to be automatically eligible for overtime pay. Unfortunately, a federal court’s decision has temporarily blocked the updated overtime rule. That means more than four million workers will not be required to be paid for the extra hours they work this season.
“Prior to the court’s decision and even before the overtime update was finalized, my Republican colleagues launched a campaign to stop and dismantle this meaningful rule that would serve working people. With a new Congress and new Administration fast approaching, I urge my colleagues to stand behind their promises of building an economy where working families can succeed. One of the very first bipartisan steps we can take is to ensure working people aren’t robbed of the hard-earned pay that they deserve. That means standing behind the updated overtime rule. I am pleased that the Department of Justice has taken action to appeal the preliminary injunction against the Labor Department’s overtime rule, and I urge the incoming Administration to continue to defend this rule in the courts.”
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