Pelosi Statement on August Jobs Report

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the report that while there were job losses due to the temporary Census jobs, the private sector added 67,000 jobs in August, marking the eighth consecutive month of gains for America's workers:

“Today’s jobs report shows America’s private sector leading the way with the eighth consecutive month of private sector job creation. Yet, as Labor Day approaches, too many families are still struggling to make ends meet and we will continue to work to expand job opportunities and extend support for small businesses.

“To change course from the Bush Recession – the worst since the Great Depression – Democrats enacted tax cuts for 95 percent of working Americans, eight small business tax cuts, and job-creating investments nationwide. And our efforts are moving us in the right direction, despite solid opposition from Republicans.

“Today, Democrats in Congress continue to act to strengthen our middle class and small businesses. We’ve passed legislation to unleash lending and credit for small businesses that is being blocked by Senate Republicans; to keep teachers, firefighters, police officers, and nurses on the job; and to create jobs here at home through our ‘Make It In America’ manufacturing strategy. At every turn, Republicans say no, siding with big corporate special interests and voting to ship American jobs overseas.

“Republicans promise to take us back to the failed Bush agenda that got us into this mess in the first place. We must keep America moving in a new direction – not back to the reckless policies that cost us more than 8 million jobs and weakened the value of our homes, retirements, and college savings. We are not going back.”