Political Quotes

“it is April Fools' Day, but it sure feels more like ``Groundhog Day'' because we are once again here considering an extension of unemployment benefits for the millions of Americans who have been out of work for months, and some of them even for years. While assistance to those without work serves an important purpose in helping Americans transition, we are failing to address the underlying and more important issue: How do we grow the economy and create jobs for all of our citizens? A growing economy creates new opportunities for Americans to find meaningful work, and with meaningful work comes an opportunity for Americans to improve their economic security and advance up that economic ladder. It is one of the reasons Senator Wyden and I started the Economic Mobility Caucus. We wanted to study the facts and explore policy improvements that can make a difference to increase the likelihood that all Americans can do just that--improve their standard of living and move up that economic ladder to a better life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, their monthly report indicates that 10.5 million Americans are unemployed; 7.2 million Americans are working part time because they cannot find full-time work; 2.4 million Americans want to work but have stopped searching. What a sad circumstance that is for those folks. Our labor participation rate is hovering around its 35-year low at 63 percent.…”