Creating more good jobs for America's working families is essential to economic recovery, yet today's report shows little progress. There are policy solutions on the table that have been passed repeatedly by Democrats in the House of Representatives, but Republicans in Congress have chosen the beltway politics of obstruction over improving people's lives.

The result is a languishing economy that shed another 54,000 jobs in August while the unemployment rate edged up to 9.6 percent.  Private employers added 67,000 jobs, down from the 107,000 added in July and still far below the 125,000 per month needed to even absorb new entrants into the labor force.

As the recovery continues to weaken, the economy desperately needs new government support, both from both fiscal and monetary policy. It's time for our leaders who are true economic patriots to fight to create jobs, reject unfair trade deals and put us on a path to make things in America again.

This fall, Congress should take up and pass legislation that will create jobs and rebuild America, starting with the Surface Transportation bill, Clean Water Authorization, clean energy infrastructure spending, and expansion of nuclear power loan guarantees.

We will not allow Republicans, who continue to say no to jobs, say no to unemployment benefits and want to privatize and cut Social Security, to derail our efforts to fight for a middle class economy. The future that we leave for our children depends on our success in beating back these barriers.

Contact: Josh Goldstein (202) 637-5018