DeLauro Statement on July Job #s

Statement

DeLauro Statement on July Job #s

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) issued the following statement following an announcement by the Labor Department that the economy shed another 51,000 jobs in July and the unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent from 5.5 percent in June - it's highest level since March 2004. Additionally, in July, the average weekly salary of managerial workers - 80 percent of the nation's payrolls - increased 2.8 percent, but fell short of inflation, which is at 5 percent for the twelve months through July.

"The American people are hurting - facing seven straight months of job losses, a rising unemployment rate, and wages falling far below the rate of inflation. It is the hard working men and women of this country who are now being held hostage by the Bush Administration's abysmal economic policies.

"That is why this Congress has taken the lead - working to change the economy and bring it out of the recession. I have had numerous conversations with my colleagues about a second economic recovery plan. We are working to determine where the need is, so we can put together a recovery package with the best mix of investments - such as disaster assistance, infrastructure projects, and winter heating assistance, including supplemental funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, additional rebates to help consumers facing higher energy costs and assistance for weatherization - that will truly help the economy."

"Given the very real challenges the American people are facing, this Congress intends to take up a second recovery package to bring them relief in the days ahead. I hope President Bush and his allies in Congress will work with us."

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