Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the report that the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in a year and the private sector added 83,000 jobs in June, while the economy lost 125,000 jobs overall:

“Today’s jobs report sends a signal that our economy continues moving forward on the road to recovery, but we still have more work to do. The unemployment rate dropped. The private sector added jobs for the sixth straight month, and private employers have added nearly 600,000 jobs this year. This comes after nearly a decade of failed Republicans policies cost us more than 700,000 jobs per month when President Bush left office.

“These numbers show our country moving in the right direction, and remind us that we must keep working to create jobs in the private sector, save the jobs of policemen, firemen, teachers and nurses, and strengthen our middle class.

“Yet – at every turn – Congressional Republicans stand in the way, voting against assistance for those hardest hit by the downturn; opposing lending and tax incentives for small businesses; and delaying bills to put Americans back to work paid for by closing tax loopholes that encourage corporations to ship jobs overseas. And just last night, the House voted to save jobs for teachers and invest in youth jobs – but Congressional Republicans said no.

“With so many families struggling to get by, it’s time for Congressional Republicans to set aside political posturing, stop standing up for Wall Street and special interests, and join Democrats to fight for Main Street and the Middle Class.”

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House