Rangel: July Jobs Report Calls For GOP to Stop Political Games

Statement

Congressman Charles B. Rangel issued the following statement following the release of the July jobs report released by the U.S. Department of Labor on August 3, 2012, which showed that the economy added 163,000 jobs and the unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent from 8.2 percent. With private businesses adding 172,000 jobs, this marks the 29th consecutive month of private sector job growth:

"The increase in number of jobs is encouraging news, but they are also a reminder that Congress must do more to jumpstart our economy. The Republicans' refusal to work with Democrats and the President on measures designed to create and save jobs through tax incentives, infrastructure spending and aid to the states is absolutely deplorable.

"Republicans are--as they have since the beginning of President Obama's term--playing politics instead of focusing on helping the American people. It's time for the GOP to put aside their destructive agenda to defeat the President and put our country first.

"The black unemployment rate decreased from 14.4% to 14.1% and the Latino unemployment rate decreased from 11% to 10.3%, which is good for our congressional district, which is made up of a large black and Latino population, but those numbers are still far too high, full percentage points about the national rate.

"I know my constituents in New York's 15th congressional district are ready to work. Republicans must stop holding tax breaks for all Americans hostage in order to cater to the interests of the wealthiest 2 percent. In this difficult time, the middle class needs relief and the millionaires and billionaires need to pay their fair share.

"Time is running out for families across America. The last thing they need right now is more uncertainty, more unfairness, and higher taxes. I urge my Republican Colleagues to join me and my Democratic Colleagues to pass series of legislation that will help more people to get back to work."

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