Statement on November Unemployment Numbers, Passage of 25th House Jobs Bill

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Diane Black (R-TN), released the following statement on the November Unemployment numbers as well as the House passage of the 25th jobs bill:

"For all of 2011, unemployment has hovered around 9 percent, and the drop in unemployment to 8.6 percent, the lowest since March 2009, is welcome news as we end this year. However, I worry that in comparison to the 13.3 million still out of work, that the addition of 120,000 jobs last month is minimal progress. Put simply, the needle has not moved enough.

"Part of the reason the unemployment rate fell so much was because almost 315,000 people have given up looking for work, thus were no longer counted among the unemployed. A contraction of the labor force is not the progress we were hoping for.

"It is time for the Senate Democrats and the White House to join the House in our efforts to create more certainty for the small businesses that create jobs we so desperately need. We must halt the job-killing flood of red tape that is pouring out of Washington right now and allow businesses to grow and hire again. I hear constantly from businesses both small, medium and large that they are afraid of what the federal government will do them next--they worry one more regulation, mandate or tax increase will sink them.

"Today the House passed the H.R. 3110, the Regulatory Accountability Act, which would ensure regulations coming out of Washington meet rigorous cost-benefit, transparency and accountability requirements. This legislation marks the 25th jobs bill that the House has passed. Meanwhile, the Senate is proposing a surtax that would hit small businesses and investors -- the very people we need spending money on hiring new workers, not having to write a check to pay more taxes.

"It is clear what needs to be done to get Americans back to work, and it is time for both Houses of Congress and the White House to work together and get it done. Washington does not create jobs but we can create a climate where our economy and our workforce can grow strong again."

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