Pelosi Statement on President's Call for Action on Jobs

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

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after President Obama again called on Republicans in Congress to stop blocking legislation to create jobs, grow our economy, and put construction workers back to work:

“Today, the President again called on Congress to get to work to create jobs and boost a construction industry struggling to get on-track.

“By contrast, Speaker Boehner has once again placed in doubt the full faith and credit of the United States, jeopardizing confidence in the economy. By raising the prospect of temporary fixes, the Republican leader has again kicked the can down the road on the bipartisan transportation bill, threatening to push the economy over a cliff with another 6 month delay. This irresponsible action would cost construction jobs and lead to the bankruptcy of the Highway Trust Fund.

“Republicans are sending Members home for the ninth week-long recess of the year. Their message is clear: they have no intention of creating jobs. Their only plan is inaction, obstruction, and delay that weakens consumer confidence, causes uncertainty, and jeopardizes our recovery.

“Democrats believe in a different path: instead of hitting the road, we should pass the transportation bill that creates or saves more than 2 million jobs. Instead of going on recess, we should keep college affordable for America’s students. The test isn’t passing ‘message bills’ like the House has been doing, or sending letters to the White House. The only correspondence the President should be receiving from the Speaker is a jobs bill to sign.”

###