September Jobs Numbers: 31st Straight Month of Private Sector Job Growth, More Work to Do

The American economy added 114,000 jobs in August and the unemployment rate fell to 7.8 percent, according to the Department of Labor's jobs report released this morning. This marks the 31st straight month of private sector job growth.

 We cannot forget how far the economy has improved since the Wall Street crisis of 2007. The month that President Obama was sworn into office, our economy was losing nearly 800,000 jobs a month with no end in sight. It was decisive action by the Democratic Congress and President Obama saved the economy from the brink.  

We have more work to do to continue to rebuild the middle class. However, Washington Republicans decided to go home early and campaign. Congress should be working together to rebuild our nation’s crumbling roads, bridges and schools. We should be working to ensure that our tax code encourages companies to move jobs back to our shores, not ship them overseas. Now is not the time to walk away from our responsibility to reignite the American Dream and rebuild the ladders of opportunity for those who are willing to work hard and play by the rules.