THE LEADER'S REPORT: WEEK OF MAY 03, 2010

Today we received encouraging news from the Department of Labor that the economy created 290,000 jobs last month, marking the largest number of new jobs in four years and the fourth consecutive month of job growth. While the economy has gone from losing 750,000 jobs per month at the end of 2008 to steadily creating jobs, Democrats understand that we still have a long way to go, and do not consider our work complete until this month’s good news repeats itself many times over.
 
As we see indications that our economy is moving in the right direction, Democrats continue working to help middle-class Americans by creating jobs and setting a strong new foundation for our long-term economic prosperity. This week, Democrats took additional steps to put Americans back to work by passing the Homestar Energy Retrofit Act, which is projected to create 168,000 new jobs in America’s construction, manufacturing, and retail industries. While creating jobs, it also helps 3 million middle-class families make their homes more energy efficient, saving them $200-$500 in energy costs per year.
 
Next week, job creation remains our top priority with House consideration of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, legislation aimed to strengthen our national economic competitiveness through investments in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Innovation is critical to our nation’s long-term economic competitiveness, and I look forward to working with the Senate to get this bill to the President’s desk.

 

Leader Hoyer was encouraged by the jobs report for April in which the economy created 290,000 jobs, the largest number of new jobs in four years and the fourth consecutive month of job growth.

 

This week, Leader Hoyer applauded House passage of the HomeStar Energy Retrofit Act, which is projected to create 168,000 new jobs, save Americans on their energy bills, and make our nation more energy efficient.

 

Leader Hoyer was pleased by the announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services that it is moving early on a program designed to provide affordable health insurance for early retirees who don’t yet qualify for Medicare.

 

Leader Hoyer applauded efforts by citizens and law enforcement officials in their handling of the attempted attack in New York City, noting increased efforts by Democrats to fight terrorism at home and abroad.