Barbara Lee: Decrease in National Unemployment Rate Encouraging, But Communities of Color Still Waiting for Their Recovery

Statement

Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today in reaction to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' announcement of monthly unemployment figures this morning:

"It's encouraging to learn that the national unemployment rate is moving in the right direction, and we must take steps to ensure that this trend continues. But the recovery is not reaching every community. The African-American unemployment rate went up to 15.5%, an increase from last month, and the Hispanic unemployment rate is still over 11%.

"It's been 3 months since Republicans took control of the House and they have yet to create a single job. We should be focused on direct job creation for our nation's most vulnerable communities, fostering new economic opportunities in underserved communities and providing pathways out of poverty. And while millions of displaced workers are looking for new jobs, Congress should pass the bill that I introduced with Rep. Bobby Scott in February to extend emergency aid for workers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits.

"A true economic recovery cannot be experienced until it is felt by every community in our nation, especially our communities of color."

Source