Statement from CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee on Recent Unemployment Numbers

Statement from CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee on Recent Unemployment Numbers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: J. Jioni Palmer  

Washington D.C. – Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, released the following statement today regarding the Labor Department statistics showing that 651,000 American jobs were lost in the month of February, with the unemployment rate rising to 8.1 percent, the worst since December 1983.

“Today’s jobless numbers are painful reminders that because of the economic policies of the former Bush Administration millions of American workers and their families are hurting.  They underscore the need for Congress and President Obama to continue to work together to stimulate our nation’s economic recovery.

“We have already partnered to enact the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create and preserve millions of jobs while also making crucial investments in health care, roads and schools. Just yesterday the House passed legislation to shore up the housing market by helping homeowners prevent foreclosure and more families obtain affordable mortgages.

“While the figures released today are troubling, it is even more concerning that in some cities and states the problem is even worse.  African American and other communities of color always suffer more when our economy is struggling. It is essential that as we get America back on the road to economic recovery, no American is left behind.”

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