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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls January Unemployment Numbers Further Indication that Bush Administration Policies Are Stifling Real Job Growth
Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) called today’s January unemployment report proof that there is insufficient serious economic growth for the hundreds of thousands of unemployed workers. Even though economists say that a robust economy should provide at least 200,000 jobs a month, the report showed that only 112,000 jobs across the country were created in January.
Since President Bush’s inauguration in January 2001, the American economy has lost almost 2.5 million jobs. In fact, Bush stands to be the first President since Depression-era President Herbert Hoover to lose jobs during his administration.
Manufacturing still continues to be hard-hit. Of the 2.5 million jobs, almost all of them are attributable to a loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector. During January, manufacturing actually lost 11,000 more jobs.
Unemployment numbers for African Americans and other people of color continue to be far above the national average of 5.6%. The unemployment rate for African Americans rose from 10.3% to 10.5%. For Hispanics, in January, the unemployment rate rose significantly – from 6.6% to 7.3%.
“In the same week that the Bush Administration revealed a proposal for another $1.1 trillion tax break for the wealthiest Americans, we learn that most other Americans are continuing to be hurt by these economic policies,” said Lee. “I’m especially concerned that the number of manufacturing jobs continues to decline. Also, tragically, the unemployment rate for minorities continues to increase. The Bush Administration should be focused on the economic security of all Americans, rather than only the CEOs at the top of the ladder. After all, the President is also Commander-of-Chief of the economy.”
On Wednesday, Lee and other Democrats, over the objection of the House Republican Leadership, voted successfully to extend unemployment for those workers whose benefits have expired. The bill now goes to the Senate.
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Since President Bush’s inauguration in January 2001, the American economy has lost almost 2.5 million jobs. In fact, Bush stands to be the first President since Depression-era President Herbert Hoover to lose jobs during his administration.
Manufacturing still continues to be hard-hit. Of the 2.5 million jobs, almost all of them are attributable to a loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector. During January, manufacturing actually lost 11,000 more jobs.
Unemployment numbers for African Americans and other people of color continue to be far above the national average of 5.6%. The unemployment rate for African Americans rose from 10.3% to 10.5%. For Hispanics, in January, the unemployment rate rose significantly – from 6.6% to 7.3%.
“In the same week that the Bush Administration revealed a proposal for another $1.1 trillion tax break for the wealthiest Americans, we learn that most other Americans are continuing to be hurt by these economic policies,” said Lee. “I’m especially concerned that the number of manufacturing jobs continues to decline. Also, tragically, the unemployment rate for minorities continues to increase. The Bush Administration should be focused on the economic security of all Americans, rather than only the CEOs at the top of the ladder. After all, the President is also Commander-of-Chief of the economy.”
On Wednesday, Lee and other Democrats, over the objection of the House Republican Leadership, voted successfully to extend unemployment for those workers whose benefits have expired. The bill now goes to the Senate.
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