Politics

Record Unemployment Claims Show Need for Action Now

By Karina

Speaker Pelosi released the following statement in reaction to Department of Labor figures that reveal a 26-year high in initial unemployment claims last week. First-time filings increased by 35,000 to 626,000 for the week ending January 31.

With every day that passes, more Americans are caught in the economic crisis, losing their jobs, their health care, and their homes. Last week?s record unemployment filings demand action, and action now by the Congress to pass President Obama?s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create and save 3 to 4 million jobs, jumpstart our economy, and put our nation back on course to long-term economic growth.

The American people cannot afford delay when they or their neighbors are watching their American Dream disappear. Congress must act swiftly and boldly to create jobs and reinvigorate an economy rocked by job losses and home foreclosures. We look forward to the Senate soon completing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act so that we may send it to the President?s desk as soon as possible.

Full post as published by The Gavel on February 05, 2009 (boomark / email).