Chairman Cleaver’s Statement on the Recent Unemployment Numbers

For Immediate Release: November 4, 2011
Washington, DC – Today Chairman Emanuel Cleaver released the following statement on the recent unemployment numbers:

“I am pleased that the number of private sector jobs grew by 104,000 over the past month, representing the twentieth straight month of increase, bringing the overall unemployment rate down to 9.0% and African American unemployment from 16% to 15.1%, but there are still far too many Americans out of work. By now, we should all understand the stagnant economic condition in which our country finds itself. The economy will only continue to worsen if we do not act quickly to address it. Politics has continued to trump legislative productivity—providing policy solutions that create opportunities for the American people so that they can care for themselves and their families.
“This week marked 300 hundred days into the 112th Congress with no action on jobs. The Republican Leadership continues to bring forth divisive ideas instead of ensuring that we do our job as legislators and pass a comprehensive jobs bill. Senate Republicans had a chance to demonstrate to the American people that they can protect the interests of the American people, but failed to do so–instead, they blocked consideration of three different jobs bills over the past month. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have seen firsthand the devastating economic conditions of millions of African American families and millions of other American families by launching our national ‘For the People’ Jobs Initiative. CBC members have introduced over fifty job creation bills since the beginning of the 112th Congress, in addition to providing nine job creation recommendations that target the needs of our nation’s most vulnerable communities.

“To stand idly by and allow our nation’s economic condition to deteriorate in the name of politics as usual and early campaigning at the American people’s expense is outrageous. It is time for the American people to stand up and demand action on jobs. President Obama has introduced a solid bipartisan jobs plan, with the American Jobs Act, that will put millions of Americans back to work. The members of the CBC are doing all we can, but we need the entire Congress to put politics aside for the betterment of the country.”

- Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, II