Press Releases

Congresswoman Wilson on National November Unemployment Rate

Wilson: “Sadly, The Republican Majority Has Rejected an Extension of the Payroll Cut Tax in Order to Protect Tax Cuts for the Wealthy”

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-17) today issued the following statement on the national November unemployment rate dropping from 9.0% to 8.6%:

“Under President Obama, we have now seen 21 straight months of private sector job growth, but it is clear that much more needs to be done to get the unemployed back on the job. The problems we face did not happen overnight and won’t be solved overnight either.

“This is why we need to pass the American Jobs Act without delay. Sadly, the Republican majority has rejected an extension of the payroll cut tax in order to protect tax cuts for the wealthy. It is past time for them to start focusing on jobs once and for all.

“I urge my Republican colleagues to put politics aside and do the right thing by supporting the American Jobs Act and allowing hardworking Floridians to keep what they earn by extending the payroll tax cut.”

The private sector added 140,000 jobs in the month of November, with the unemployment rate dropping from 9.0% to 8.6%.

In early 2012, Congresswoman Wilson will be planning her second jobs fair, with a focus on the tourism and hospitality industries, as a means of lowering the local unemployment rate by connecting South Florida employers with prospective employees.

Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term congresswoman representing the 17^th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. She is a former state legislator and school principal and the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.