Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing the unemployment rate fell to 7.8 percent, and that the economy added 114,000 jobs in September:

“I was encouraged by the September report showing that the overall unemployment rate dropped to 7.8 percent, the lowest unemployment rate since January 2009. September marked the 31th consecutive month of private sector job growth. While rates remain high, the decrease in African American unemployment from 14.1% to 13.6%, and Hispanics from 10.1% to 9.9% are encouraging.

“These decreases show that we are headed in the right direction. However, much more needs to be done.  Targeted investments and accelerating government-sector job creation to re-hire teachers, firefighters, police officers and the long-term unemployed is needed to keep our economy moving forward.  Republicans in Congress must work with Congressional Democrats and President Obama to reignite the American dream and put Americans back to work. Passing the American Jobs Act will get struggling Americans into good paying jobs and contribute to deficit reduction and will strengthen the American economy for all.

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