WASHINGTON D.C., Dec. 7 – Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA-02), the lead Democratic Appropriator for the Department of Commerce, issues this statement upon release of today’s national employment report:

“Even Superstorm Sandy couldn’t slow the nation’s economic recovery under the policies of President Obama. Today’s unemployment report is surprising the pundits with its strong numbers – 146,000 more Americans going to work every day, an unemployment rate of 7.7 percent that’s the lowest since the President took office.

“Today marks the 33^rd consecutive month of private sector job growth. The data tells a positive story about real people, and underscores what Americans already know: While work remains to be done, our economy continues to heal and improve.”