Murphy: Dismal Unemployment Report "A National Disgrace'

Statement

Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) today released the following statement in response to the Department of Labor's August unemployment report, which marks the 43rd consecutive month the unemployment level has been at or above 8 percent.

"Today's dismal unemployment report is nothing short of a national disgrace," said Congressman Murphy. "Perhaps worst of all are the nearly two million college graduates who are jobless or underemployed. All their lives, children have been taught that if they dream big, work hard, and stay in school, they can accomplish anything. High school and college students today are resourceful--they work side jobs, take on student loans and generally do without in order to learn a trade, launch a career and make a better life for themselves. College graduates saddled with loans and laid off mothers and fathers don't need more platitudes and promises--they need more jobs. Our state's hard-working students and families deserve better than this administration's failed economic policies.

"In Southwestern Pennsylvania, we know energy equals jobs, but the Administration's war on natural gas and clean coal has hindered both. That's why I've introduced the bipartisan Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act, a bill to unleash our nation's energy sector and put our students back to work. In addition to creating thousands of Pennsylvania jobs, my legislation would lower energy prices, generate trillions in new federal revenues, and fund critical construction projects so we can repair our state's aging bridges and roadways. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my bill and focus on enacting legislation to decrease regulations, cut spending, and expand our domestic energy production for a stronger economy."

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