Levin Statement on December Job Creation

Statement

The Department of Labor today issued its monthly employment report finding that in the month of December, the economy created 103,000 jobs and the unemployment rate dropped to 9.4 percent, the lowest level in 19 months. Additionally, the report indicates that private sector employment grew for the twelfth straight month.

Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), issued the following statement:

"Providing further evidence that the policies set in motion by the Democratic-led Congress and President Obama are helping to create jobs and boost the economy, the Jobs report underscores how we must be vigilant if we are to stay on a path that accelerates job growth and supports the millions of Americans who remain unemployed.

"Unfortunately, Republicans instead are focused on setting the stage to take away Americans' vital health care protections and hand them back to insurance companies. Their efforts are misplaced priorities for the economy, health care and deficit reduction."

Key findings in today's report:
* Since December 2009, total payroll employment has increased by 1.1 million
* The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for October was revised from +172,000 to +210,000, and the change for November was revised from +39,000 to +71,000.

* In December, health care employment continued to expand, with a gain of 36,000 for a total of 266,000 for 2010.

Source