Press Release

Contact: Joe Hand 202-225-6576

Washington, Aug 3 - Congressman Dave Loebsack today issued the following statement in response to the Department of Labor’s announcement that the unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent in July and 163,000 jobs were added.

“The American people did not elect Members of Congress to continually fail to do their jobs and kick the can down the road on critical issues such as job creation or a reformed farm bill. But with the Republicans choosing to pack up and get out of town a day early for five weeks of vacation instead of getting to work on the critical issues facing Iowans, once again politics have won out at the expense of middle class families and Iowa’s rural communities.  

“I have worked to pass numerous commonsense initiatives, including a reformed farm bill that will help provide certainty and assistance to farmers during this historic drought and economic growth for rural Iowa communities.  Today’s announcement just further demonstrates that Congress must stop bucking its responsibilities and get to work, as I have repeatedly called on the House Majority to do.”