Hoyer Statement on February Jobs Report

“This morning’s jobs report, which shows a gain of 230,000 private sector jobs, reflects the continued resilience of America’s workers and businesses.   For seventy-two months straight, private sector employment has grown, both as a result of the Democratic policies that reversed the Great Recession and the dogged determination of America’s middle class workers and small business owners.  They tightened their belts, made difficult choices, and invested what they could in learning new skills and creating new jobs.  Because of our extraordinary people, America went from recession to recovery, and now we are well positioned to move from recovery into resurgence.  But to do that, we need an end to economic uncertainty that only real leadership from Congress can provide. 

“With the Federal Reserve drawing back its support for the recovery through monetary policy, in light of news like today's, it is time for Congress to step up with an eye toward long-term stability.  In order to turn that corner, we must focus on the long-term investments necessary to provide certainty to businesses that now is the time to expand and invest private capital in equipment and jobs that pay well and open doors to opportunity.  House Democrats will continue to push for Congress to act in a bipartisan way to defend against Republican efforts to disinvest in economic growth and to end the cycle of governing from one manufactured crisis to the next, which exacerbates uncertainty.  We will also continue to promote our jobs plan, called ‘Make It In America,’ which would invest in providing our nation’s businesses and workers with the tools they need to seize new opportunities in a changing economy. 

“Americans who worked so hard and made difficult choices to move past the Recession deserve a Congress that is on their side and ready to do the same.  Our jobs numbers make it clear that we have the ingredients for economic resurgence and wider opportunity, if only this Republican-led Congress would work with Democrats to make that happen instead of standing in the way and telling businesses and workers they’re on their own.”