Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Calls Recent Jobs Numbers an Encouraging Barometer of Future Economic Activity

Press Release

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, senior member of the Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees and Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure Security of the Homeland Security Committee cites the latest jobs figures as further proof the American economy is on the upswing, although the unemployment rate remained 9.5 percent, unchanged from a month earlier.

While a first glance may suggest that the most recent jobs numbers are not positive, the 71,000 jobs added last month to the economy is demonstrable evidence that jobs are heading in the right direction. Indeed, this gain in private sector jobs really suggests the economy is improving, despite bearish predictions about the future of the U.S economy. "This is an important step for U.S. corporations, sitting on almost $2 trillion in cash, because job creation is not the responsibility of the federal government alone, said Jackson Lee." Nonfinancial companies are sitting on $1.8 trillion in cash, roughly one-quarter more than at the beginning of the recession.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee defended the fiscal polices of the Administration, citing the role of the American Recovery Act and stimulus dollars in sustaining the economic recovery and said, "In the absence of the federal stimulus dollars that have been spent in every corner of America, it is clear the U.S. economy would be in the throws of a deep recession." Working together to rebuild our economy after the financial meltdown of the last several years must not become a missed opportunity for any segment of the U.S. economy, because our priorities are misplaced. If U.S. corporations begin to make the appropriate investments in the American worker, we will begin to see the rewards of such investments in increased employment and sustained economic growth...

Another important sign related to the jobs number is the fact that manufacturing employment continues to rise with the addition of 36,000 jobs last month. Congresswoman Jackson Lee, "As long as we can rebuild the manufacturing infrastructure in the U.S., we are poised to created additional jobs in the U.S. economy in the future. Any return of manufacturing jobs is welcomed sign for the American worker."

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