The latest job figures are out, and there's been some slight improvement from last month, but the picture is still dreary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the unemployment rate ticked down from 9.1 percent to 9 percent. There was a total net gain of 80,000 new jobs and, according to the BLS, payroll employment has increased by an average of 125,000 jobs per month, which indicates slow, but steady growth.
The new numbers do show some overall improvement, but this country is still in the middle of an unemployment crisis. Yet, no one in Washington seems to be able to do anything about it.
Imagine what this monthly report might look like if Congress had the political will to actually do something about the lack of jobs in this country. Last night, the U.S. Senate had the opportunity to demonstrate courage and leadership when it was presented with the “Rebuild America Jobs Act” (S. 1769). Instead, the upper chamber chose politics over people when it voted to reject the bill and eliminated even the possibility of a debate.
This infrastructure bill, a provision of the president’s proposed American Jobs Act, would have invested $50 billion in projects to improve the safety and effectiveness of the nation’s highways, rail systems, and airports, which could create hundreds of thousands of jobs in construction and other industries in which Latinos have a strong presence. It would have helped countless people across America who are still reeling from the economic downturn, especially Latinos. In contrast with the country overall, the Hispanic community actually experienced an increase in unemployment to a staggering 11.4 percent. (Check out our Monthly Latino Employment Report for more information.)
In a statement on the vote, NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía said, “We previously challenged Congress to step off of the sidelines and push policies that could stimulate job growth and save the American Dream. Yesterday’s vote shows that despite the rhetoric they may use, many of our elected leaders have clearly not prioritized job creation and do not understand the burden that the American people bear due to Congress’s lack of action.”
The American public has been brought to its knees in this current economic climate. Families are losing their homes, people are living with unmet basic health care needs, and minority populations are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve stability. It's hard to imagine just what else Congress needs to hear to be spurred to act, but hopefully someone will soon step up and whip the legislature into shape!
For now, NCLR will continue to advocate for the millions of Americans in serious need of work.