CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPING TO 8.3 PERCENT

Washington, DC – (Friday, February 3, 2012) – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement on the unemployment rate dropping to 8.3 percent:

“Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the unemployment rate for January 2012 has dropped to 8.3 percent, the lowest it has been since February 2009. This is a positive sign that our economy continues to move in the right direction, and that the efforts of President Obama to create jobs are proving effective.

While this is welcomed news, there is still much work to be done for the countless working families out there who continue to hurt from a weakened economy. Extending unemployment insurance and tax breaks for the middle class should remain our highest priorities until employment returns to normal levels. I stand committed alongside President Obama and my colleagues in Congress to create jobs here at home and put Americans back to work.”

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. She is also the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas  that includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek,Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.