U.S. Representative Thaddeus G. McCotter (MI) on April's Unemployment Report:
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate is 8.1% - the 39th consecutive month above 8%. While, fortunately, 115,000 Americans found work in April, 103,000 more discouraged Americans ceased seeking work to due to overall lack of employment opportunities. Inexcusably, these unfortunate Americans are NOT counted in the 'official' unemployment figures.
"Consequently, to provide all Americans - especially those presently unemployed - an accurate depiction of economic conditions, I've co-sponsored U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter's (CA-52 ) Real Unemployment Calculation Act. This clear, one page piece of legislation would fix the official unemployment rate to include discouraged workers and those marginally attached to the workforce. The necessity of passing this bill is starkly revealed in this figure; using its calculations, the real unemployment rate for April is a staggering 9.5%.
"I will continue working for this critical, common sense legislation, so more Americans can accurately assess their situations and find employment."
Source: http://mccotter.house.gov/press-release/mccotter-statement-april-unemployment-report
