Larson Statement on May Jobs Report

WASHINGTON – Congressman John Larson (CT-01), released the following statement on today's Department of Labor report indicating that the economy added 54,000 jobs in May:

"The number one priority for Americans today is jobs. As today's jobs report illustrates, our economic recovery is fragile and we cannot take job growth for granted. While May marks the 15th consecutive month of positive job growth, far too many Americans are still looking for work and struggling to support their families.

"For almost half a year now the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has not produced a single job-creation bill. Instead, Washington Republicans have focused like a laser on their ideological agenda to end Medicare and increase tax giveaways to Big Oil and companies that ship our jobs overseas.

"But pointing fingers will not help create new jobs. We face immense economic problems that will take years to solve. It's time to stop the partisan games, come together to reduce the deficit, ask the wealthiest to pay their fair share of taxes, and invest smartly to support education, innovation and new American industries. That's why Democrats introduced an entire package of legislation aimed at preserving and creating new, good-paying jobs through our Make it in America plan. Together we can create jobs, reduce the deficit and grow the economy for all Americans.

"I hope our Republican colleagues will join us."