Statement by U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans on Today's Unemployment Numbers

Washington, DC - Today's unemployment numbers underscore the cost of the Senate's inaction on an economic security package. Nearly a million more Americans are out of work today than when President Bush first proposed an economic security plan in early October.

I welcome Senator Daschle's words today, and hope they indicate that in this New Year, he has resolved to put more emphasis on paychecks than politics.

It was heartening today to hear the Senate majority leader react to President Bush's priorities for our nation's economy: expanding support for workers who have lost their jobs, stimulating economic growth so they can replace their unemployment checks with paychecks, investing in education, opening new markets abroad for U.S. businesses, and implementing a strategic energy plan for our nation.

The Administration is eager to work with the Senator, to build economic security for all Americans, without raising taxes.