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Ongoing Shutdown Prevents Release of Monthly Jobs Data from the Department of Labor

Ongoing Shutdown Prevents Release of Monthly Jobs Data from the Department of Labor

BLS Report Would Have Again Reflected Slow- Growing Economy 

(Washington, D.C.) – The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was scheduled to release the monthly employment report for September this morning, but due to the government shutdown this information is not available to Americans. Over the last year however, the economy has added an average of 182 thousand jobs per month – not enough to significantly reduce the unemployment rate, and  a far cry from the 250,000 to 300,000 jobs most economists agree is needed to fill the gap left by the recession.

Daniel Garza , Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative released the following statement:

"Because of the ongoing government shutdown, the American people will not get their monthly update on the state of the economy. But according to the estimate of a leading private sector company, the United States created 166,000 jobs in September – right in line with the weak job numbers we have seen every single month for far too long.

President Barack Obama was elected in a time of economic downturn, but has failed to work with Members of Congress from both parties to drive bipartisan solutions and turn this around. His lack of decisive leadership during these defining moments in time are a cause of concern, and only help to increase the uncertainty Americans have been feeling for some time now. We need a serious commitment to fiscal sanity, to job creation, and to a willingness to work together on shared goals, rather than political advantage and divisive rhetoric that only serves to tear our government and our country apart."

For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact:  Judy Pino, 202-578-6424 or Brian Faughnan, 571-257-3309, 571-257-3309.