Van Hollen Statement on April Job Loss Numbers

Statement

Today, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Assistant to the Speaker, issued the following statement on April's job loss numbers from the Department of Labor:

"Today's unemployment numbers make it clear that there is still much work to be done. The economy lost 539,000 jobs in April, the fewest in six months. But the unemployment rate climbed to 8.9 percent, which is the highest rate since 1983.

"We knew getting the country back on track after eight years of failed fiscal policies and an inherited economic crisis would take time. Congress and President Obama are working everyday to help create jobs, provide tax relief, and put America back on the path of financial stability and success. The Recovery Act is already putting money back into the economy, creating jobs, providing tax relief for 95 percent of Americans, and ensuring that older and disabled Americans get the help they need with one-time $250 Economic Recovery Payments for Social Security recipients. President Obama's fiscally responsible budget is transparent, cuts unnecessary spending, makes critical investments in education, health care and the environment, and cuts the deficit by two-thirds in the next four years.

"Congress has also continued its steadfast commitment to protecting the American consumer, especially during these difficult economic times. In the last two weeks, we have passed legislation that provides tough consumer protections against unscrupulous credit card companies, fraud and predatory lending practices.

"Despite the difficult times our country has weathered, we are moving in a New Direction - into an era of broadly shared prosperity, built on an economy consistent with our values of hard work and responsibility."

Source