SPRINGFIELD, MA-House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics February 2021 jobs report :
“Today’s modest progress, partly as a result of the support we provided at the end of the year, is a reminder that we still have a long, long way to go to pre-pandemic employment levels and we have no choice but to act. While Senate Republicans are playing political games and jeopardizing unemployment benefits, last month’s report is proof that the bill the House sent over last week is needed. With still 9.5 million jobs still missing from the labor market, the American people don’t have the time to wait.
“This progress is not equitable or inevitable. The disparities in unemployment along racial lines are persisting, and I’m particularly concerned with the significant job losses in state and local governments. I’ve said this over and over, but the most important thing we did, nearly a year ago, in the CARES Act was expand unemployment benefits. They have kept people fed and housed while it hasn’t been safe to work, and they’ve kept cash flowing through our local businesses and services. Under current law, pandemic unemployment benefits start to expire in just nine days. We cannot afford to lose these critical lifelines. To keep people afloat and our economy marching in the right direction, the Senate must pass the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 as soon as possible."
