Washington, Jan 6 - Today, after reviewing the latest unemployment numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor that show the unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent in December 2011, Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) is urging Congressional leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to convene session and tackle the tough issues the country is facing rather than wait three weeks for the scheduled return. Congressman Reyes said he is ready to return to Washington today to start work on behalf of the 16th District of Texas and all Texans.

"The American people are struggling, they are having a tough time, and we as their elected federal representatives, cannot sit back and wait three weeks for the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives to return from their winter break, that is unacceptable," Congressman Reyes said. "I am ready to fly to Washington today and start to work on behalf of the millions of unemployed Americans as we look for ways to provide relief to job seekers and employers while helping to create jobs in our country."

Today, the U.S. Department of Labor released unemployment data for the month of December 2011 indicating that 200,000 jobs were created this past month. While regional unemployment data for December is yet to be released, the El Paso Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) earlier reported that the El Paso unemployment rate continued its downward trend hitting 9.8 percent in November of 2011, down from 10.5 percent in October of the same year.

"Today's numbers are a clear indicator that President Obama and the Democratic Leadership are doing all we can to move our country forward," Congressman Reyes said. "We continue to work to create jobs in this country and help the American people regain employment. I call on Republican Congressional leaders to do the right thing and get back to work immediately, rather than waiting. The people of the 16th District of Texas don't have the luxury of three weeks for the U.S. House of Representatives to convene and get back to work. We need to get back to work now."