WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers released the following statement this afternoon following today's unemployment report from the Department of Labor:

"Today's unemployment report is devastating. Only 88,000 new jobs were created last month as 496,000 Americans left the workforce. This shows that there are now a record 90 million Americans who are no longer looking for work - the lowest participation rate since 1979.  Our economy is in trouble and the private sector is struggling to survive."

"Instead of taking the appropriate measures to relieve these burdens, President Obama is continuing to push for more taxes, more federal spending, and greater public dependency. He continues to fly across the country as if he were still running for reelection rather than addressing this crisis and being the leader the American people are waiting for him to be."

"Americans are watching these reports and wondering what it means for their families and their future. The answer is simple - stop spending, start creating, and let our job creators expand their businesses without the fear of more intervention from Washington."

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For more information, please visit Congresswoman Ellmers’ website at www.ellmers.house.gov or call (202) 225-4531.

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