Washington, DC – Today, Heather Boushey, Senior Economist at the Center for American Progress, had the following reaction to the announcement of July’s unemployment figures:
For over a month now, the debt ceiling debate has distracted Washington from the key economic issue at hand: a floundering jobs recovery. Last week, we learned that economic growth is stalling and that the recovery has been weaker than previously reported. Today’s jobs numbers show some improvement, but not at a sufficient pace to bring down unemployment. The share of Americans at work is now just 58.1 percent, lower than at any point in 28 years. Until we get people back to work, the United States will not be able to address its long-term fiscal problems and unfortunately, the debt ceiling agreement will in no way move the economy toward job creation.
To speak to Boushey about the monthly jobs report, contact Laura Pereyra at [email protected] or 202.203.8689.
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