Scott Statement On March Jobs Report

Statement

Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy lost 701,000 jobs in March with the unemployment rate at 4.4 percent.

"Today's grim jobs report captures only a fraction of the economic hardship that workers, families, and businesses will face in the months ahead. Only yesterday, weekly unemployment claims soared to an astonishing 6.6 million people, nearly ten times the number of weekly claims at the height of the Great Recession. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, recent projections estimate that 20 million workers will be laid off or furloughed by July, many of whom will lose their job-based health insurance as well.

"This is an unprecedented moment for our nation. We must use every available tool to provide relief to communities across the country.

"The first three COVID-19 response packages delivered immediate support to many students, workers, and families, including emergency paid sick leave for tens of millions of workers, more than $30 billion in education funding, and a dramatic expansion in unemployment benefits for people who lose their jobs.

"But we must be realistic about the scale of this crisis. Our communities will need far more relief as we continue to confront this global pandemic. It is critical for Congress to move forward with a fourth COVID-19 response package that provides for the safety and financial security of workers and sets the foundation for a strong, rapid recovery for our communities and our economy."

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