WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the February jobs report, which showed the economy added 227,000 jobs in February:
“Today’s report is another clear sign that our effort to restart America’s jobs machine is working. We are making significant strides yet still have a substantial way to go.
“In December 2007, our economy began the most devastating recession in over 70 years. Ever since, Democrats have focused on restoring our economy and creating jobs. The Recovery Act, the rescue of the automotive industry, payroll tax cuts for American workers, assistance for small businesses, financial reform, and help for the unemployed are some of the pro-growth policies that Democrats fought to put in place. Along with the determination and ingenuity of the American people, these initiatives have supported an economic recovery that has created nearly four million new private-sector jobs over the last two years.
“Republicans continue to react to good news with sour grapes. That comes as little surprise considering our efforts to restore our economy were often opposed by Congressional Republicans who said we should either do nothing or follow more of the same failed policies that preceded the recession. Republicans’ path was wrong then, and it remains so today, as they refuse to acknowledge the important contribution of the pro-growth policies we have enacted.
“Despite the consistent progress we have made, there remain many challenges ahead. Millions of Americans are still struggling to find work. I urge Republicans in Congress to finally join with Democrats and President Obama in our continuing effort to grow our economy, and with it, opportunities for every American."
