Pelosi Statement on August Jobs Report

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy added 173,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 percent, the lowest unemployment rate since March 2008. With businesses adding 140,000 jobs last month, August represents the 66th consecutive month of private sector job growth and a total of more than 13 million jobs.

"Our economy continues to make progress, adding another month to the longest uninterrupted period of private sector job growth in American history. However, it is clear more can and must be done to create good-paying jobs and grow the paychecks of America's hard-working families.

"House Republicans' continuing dysfunction and inability to govern are weighing down our economy and harming hard-working Americans across the country. While Democrats are championing a robust, long-term highway bill to create good-paying jobs rebuilding America's roads and bridges, Republicans are driving our nation toward an infrastructure funding crisis. While Democrats are working to empower America's small businesses and manufacturers, Republicans continue to block reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank that our exporters need to compete and succeed overseas. And while Democrats have called for bipartisan negotiations to negotiate a responsible budget agreement, House Republicans are putting Americans on the path to another Republican Government Shutdown.

"With only 12 legislative days left before the budget deadline, Republicans need to set aside their dangerous ideology and join Democrats to avert the needless destruction of a Republican Government Shutdown. It's long past time for Republicans to stop putting the special interests ahead of the future of America's hard-working families."

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