Scott Statement on July Jobs Report

Statement

Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 255,000 jobs during the month of July.

"Today's job report shows that the economy added 255,000 jobs while unemployment holds steady at 4.9 percent. Under President Obama and his Administration, we have experienced consistent economic gains, and this progress serves as a great foundation to continue the work needed to support working people across the nation. By building on this progress, we will make it possible for all families to achieve economic stability and share in the progress we have made.

"Currently, Congress is in the middle of its longest summer recess since the 1960s, and there are many issues Congress and the Committee on Education and the Workforce need to address. When we return, we must focus on passing the Working Families Agenda to boost wages, help working people balance work and family, and level the playing field by eliminating discrimination. We must pass comprehensive legislation to address the Zika crisis and the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. The Committee must also work in a bipartisan way to reauthorize the Higher Education Act so that we do not fall behind in preparing students to thrive in the 21st century workforce.

"Before my Committee colleagues and I left for recess, we unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to strengthen career and technical education to provide students and job seekers with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to succeed in today's competitive job market. I am optimistic that when we return, we can continue in that spirit of bipartisanship to better ensure that hardworking Americans and their families have the opportunity to prosper."

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