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Klobuchar Chairs Hearing on April's Job Loss Report

Klobuchar presses witness on report showing three consecutive months of job losses; highlights high unemployment among returning veterans

May 2, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar chaired a Joint Economic Committee hearing today that explored the results of a disappointing jobs report that said over 20,000 U.S. jobs were lost during the month of April.  During the hearing, Sen. Klobuchar questioned officials from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the dire conditions that American families are currently experiencing as the report indicated less than stellar results in key sectors of the U.S. economy. 

“Jobs in Minnesota and the rest of the country are disappearing while consumer prices are skyrocketing,” said Klobuchar.  “Applications for unemployment assistance are up, costs are up, foreclosures are up, and consumers are turning to their credit cards, which means that debt is up.  It’s time for policies that build the economy by creating new jobs and putting people back to work.”

Senator Klobuchar spoke of rising consumer costs coupled with stagnant wages, which make it impossible for middle class families to keep up with their budgets.  Referring to a report by Elizabeth Warren, a professor at Harvard Law School, Klobuchar discussed how lost income combined with skyrocketing household bills, resulted in a net loss of income of $5,739 per year for the average American family since the year 2000.

Senator Klobuchar raised concerns about how high unemployment numbers have impacted our nation’s veterans, especially those who have recently returned from service.  Among veterans who have served since September 11, 2001, 11.2 percent are now collecting unemployment benefits.

“We must do more to help the men and women that protect this country,” said Klobuchar.  “There wasn’t a waiting line to sign up for war -- our soldiers shouldn’t have to stand in the unemployment line when they come home.”

The report showed that the unemployment rate of 5.0 percent was virtually unchanged from March and the biggest changes in job losses were in the construction, manufacturing and retail sectors.  In addition, over 300,000 people suffered reduced hours in April, totaling over 5 million people with reduced hours since January.  These wage losses have had a direct impact on family budgets and buying power.

Senator Klobuchar questioned the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Keith Hall, on the April jobs report and how economic conditions have lead to a loss of 260,000 jobs from January through April of this year.  Klobuchar is a member of the Joint Economic Committee, which examines issues that impact our national economy.  The Committee helps provide citizens and lawmakers with critical information on the health of our economy and examines how government can better work for the middle class.

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