Rep. Engel: Job Growth Continues, But We Can't Give Up on the Unemployed

Press Release

Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said a better-than-expected monthly jobs report shows that the labor market is continuing to improve, but noted that long-term unemployment is still a problem for approximately 3.5 million people who have been out of work for six months or longer.

The U.S. economy added 288,000 jobs in April -- surpassing analysts' expectations for 210,000 new jobs -- while the unemployment dropped to 6.3 percent, its lowest level since September 2008.

"The economy is clearly showing signs of improvement, but long-term unemployment remains a problem. There are millions of Americans who are willing and able to work. There's simply not enough jobs out there right now."

"House Republicans refusal to allow an up-or-down vote to extend unemployment insurance -- and their insistence on blocking President Obama's jobs package -- is hurting our economy. We shouldn't be quibbling with each other over extending unemployment insurance. Too many individuals and families are counting on us to get this done."

Congressman Engel, and other members of the House Democratic Caucus, signed a letter to Speaker John Boehner in March requesting an up-or-down vote to extend unemployment insurance for the 2 million Americans who lost their coverage since the program expired on December 28th.

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