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Wilson Statement on Latest Unemployment Report

May 4, 2012

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement today regarding the latest unemployment report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"The latest jobs report marks the thirty-ninth consecutive month our nation's unemployment rate has remained above eight percent. With the passage of the nearly one trillion-dollar stimulus plan, the President assured Americans that unemployment would not exceed eight percent. It is blatantly clear that the President's failed policies are not working, but instead are contributing to our fifteen trillion-dollar debt.

Americans are beyond frustrated with the President's inability to support policies that will turn our nation's hurting economy around. During the month of April alone, 342,000 discouraged people removed themselves from the work force and stopped looking for a job. If the labor force remained the same size as January 2009 when President Obama was sworn into office, our nation's unemployment rate would rest at eleven percent. This fact is absolutely unacceptable.

House Republicans have remained focused on stopping the President's reckless spending and helping to put hardworking Americans back to work. We have passed dozens of job-creating bills, most with bi-partisan support, that remain stalled due to inaction by the liberal-controlled Senate. As more and more Americans are giving up on finding employment and losing faith in the government, I urge the President to encourage the Senate to pass legislation encouraging private sector growth which will put America back on the path to prosperity."