Press Releases

MIAMI, FL – Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), issued the following statement on the September 2012 jobs report:

“The September job’s report is good news; 114,000 more Americans are now working. With the fall of the unemployment rate from 8 percent to 7.8 percent, this is a clear indication that we are moving forward and in the right direction under President Barack Obama’s leadership. The unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the President took office and took action to stop the spiral into another depression. The September job’s report shows we are seeing growth in the healthcare and transportation industries. More importantly, we are seeing the positive effects of President Obama’s commitment to putting people back to work. Our next move should be enacting President Obama's American Jobs Act. The Democratic-led Senate passed it, but the House Republicans refuse to bring it up for a vote. Why do they object to investing in our infrastructure? Who do they think will rebuild our roads, highways, ports and school buildings? How do they propose to prevent the layoffs of our firefighters, police officers and teachers?

“From day one, my focus has been jobs, jobs, jobs. Since the House Republicans have been in charge, they have refused to bring up one single jobs bill. President Obama’s American Jobs Act is based on proven job creation measures, as is my Jobs Now Act. By contrast, all the Republicans propose are more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, to double down on the failed trickle-down economic theory that got us into this mess in the first place. I’ve been in Congress for nearly two years now, and I am still waiting for the opportunity to vote on a bill that will create jobs.

With Election Day coming up, Americans are more optimistic about the economy but realize that we still have work to do. Americans recognize that President Obama continues to fight for all of us and refuses to engage in cynical partisan activity. The American people want Congress to take action and pass the President’s jobs bill, so that millions more Americans can go back to work or find jobs for the first time.

Congresswoman Wilson’s Jobs Now Act Still Awaiting Congressional Action

On July 18, 2011, Congresswoman Wilson introduced the Jobs Now Act, a federal direct-hire bill patterned after the highly successful CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) program of the 1970s and 1980s that was enacted by the Nixon administration. The Act would provide $2 billion in federal funds over two years for immediate job creation through a funding formula going directly to cities, counties and non-profit organizations, with a preference for cities – such as Miami – with high unemployment, home foreclosures and poverty.

The Jobs Now Act is a temporary, targeted program designed to get people back to work right away. It would cut the red tape of federal funds going through state bureaucracies, giving mayors and county executives the flexibility and resources they need to retain, hire, or train workers immediately. At the end of two years, Congress would be required to report on the number of individuals retained, newly-hired and/or trained.

U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.