Pelosi Statement on July Jobs Report

Statement

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy added 215,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate held steady at 5.3 percent. With businesses adding 210,000 jobs last month and a total of 13 million jobs over the past 65 consecutive months, this is the longest period of private sector job growth in American history.

"July's jobs report represents another good step in the right direction, continuing the longest uninterrupted stretch of private sector job growth in American history. Yet, on occasion after occasion, the manufactured crises of the Republican Congress have put this progress at risk.

"Over the last several weeks, the Republican record of dysfunction, distraction and obstruction has been destroying American jobs, weakening our economy, and undermining the opportunities of hard-working families to pursue the American dream. Congressional Republicans have refused to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank's charter, allowing it to expire -- thereby dealing a major hit to American workers and American businesses trying to compete and succeed in the global Marketplace. They have failed to pass a robust, long-term highway funding bill that would create good-paying jobs rebuilding America. Furthermore, they have spearheaded their next manufactured crisis by threatening to shut down the government at the end of September.

"With the Congress adjourned for nearly six weeks, the American people will have to wait even longer for this Republican Congress to begin listening to Americans' needs and addressing America's challenges. Republicans should stop squandering opportunities and come together with Democrats to create jobs and a better future for all Americans."

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