Pelosi Statement on November Jobs Report

Contact: Drew Hammill/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy added a total of 178,000 jobs in November, with the unemployment rate falling to 4.6 percent, the lowest unemployment rate August 2007. With 156,000 private sector jobs being added in November, the economy has added a total of 15.6 million private sector jobs since early 2010.

“Overall, November's jobs report shows the economy is moving forward. However, for many communities and families across America, the story is different. Too many Americans feel deep anxiety about their jobs, their wages and their future.

“As Democrats have said again and again, Congress has a responsibility to create more good-paying jobs, raise workers’ wages, and ensure that no community is left behind. While Republicans and their corporate allies have done everything they can to stop American workers from receiving the overtime pay they deserve, Democrats will continue fighting for the strengthened overtime protections that should have taken effect on December 1. Democrats will hold Republicans accountable for their brazen effort to keep millions of Americans working longer hours for less pay.

“We are eager to work across the aisle to rebuild America with a robust infrastructure bill that creates good-paying jobs. However, Republicans in Congress are clearly more interested in dismantling Medicare than passing a job-creating infrastructure bill. Americans who have worked all their lives need Medicare to be there for them in retirement, and Democrats will fight ferociously against Speaker Ryan’s plan to end Medicare as we know it.”

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