[The following is an analysis by David Stewart, Economic Policy Advisor to Speaker Boehner.]

Today, the Department of Labor released monthly jobs data showing that the economy created 120,000 net new jobs in November and that the unemployment rate remained unacceptably high at 8.6 percent. While any signs of improvement are welcome news, the net gain in jobs was slightly below the monthly average over the past year and still insufficient to meaningfully drive down unemployment over the long term.   November marked the 34th consecutive month that the unemployment rate exceeded eight percent.  

Also ominous is the fact the decline in the unemployment rate is due in part to 315,000 people leaving the labor force.  A closer examination of those leaving the labor force reveals a sharp decline in female participation in the labor force in November.  Among men and women 20 years and over, 34,000 men entered the labor force while 349,000 women left the labor force.  Additionally, a closer examination of the unemployment rate reveals that while the unemployment rate decreased significantly for white men (0.6 percent), white women and Hispanics were essentially unchanged, and African American men and women saw an increase of 0.3 percent.

While the number of unemployed fell to 13.3 million, the average duration of unemployment ticked up by one and a half week to 41 weeks.  Forty-three percent of the unemployed have been unemployed for nearly seven months.

On balance, the November unemployment report shows that, among the positive signs, the constant threat of higher taxes on job creators, new and burdensome regulations, and additional wasteful ‘stimulus’ measures continues to restrain employers from hiring and making new investments in their businesses.  That’s why Republicans continue to seek common ground with President Obama on empowering small businesses and removing government barriers that make it harder to create jobs.  Some common ground has already been found, including incentives for hiring veterans and free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.  Unfortunately, more than 20 bipartisan, House-passed jobs bills remain stuck in the Democratic-controlled Senate.  All of these bills are part of Republicans’ Plan for America’s Job Creators, and all deserve a vote in the United States Senate.  This morning, Speaker Boehner said President Obama should take this opportunity to “call on the Senate to move these bills,” adding, “the American people want action on jobs, and the House is listening to the American people.”

To learn more, visit jobs.GOP.gov.