(Hartford) – Congressman John B. Larson made the following statement today on the U.S. Department of Labor's January employment report, showing that the economy added 157,000 jobs in January with unemployment rising to 7.9 percent:

"The January employment report further illustrates the need for Congress to find solutions to get Americans back to work. While national and private sector growth remained steady, the New Year did not bring new opportunities for many still struggling to find a job.

"Now is not the time for Congress to play politics with our economy. Earlier this month, the Republican-controlled House had an opportunity to provide certainty to the American people by taking the debt ceiling off the table. Instead, Congress kicked the can down the road, and in effect rescheduled our debt ceiling debate for later this year.

"When Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley fired Ron Zook mid-season, he said: 'What should be done eventually, must be done immediately.' The same could be said in Congress where, instead of a fan base calling for success on the field, the American people are calling for certainty in our economy."

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