WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), today released the following statement after the Department of Labor announced that the economy added 252,000 nonfarm jobs in December and the unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent. December marked the 58th consecutive month of private-sector job growth.
"Today’s job report caps a banner year for job growth in our strengthening economy. The addition of 240,000 private-sector jobs in December boosts the total number created last year to 2,861,000, making 2014 the strongest year since 1997. Our economy has now added private-sector jobs for 58 straight months, the longest stretch on record.
“The pace of job creation is strong, inflation remains tame, gasoline prices are low, and the deficit is falling. Now is the time for Congress to take the necessary measures to kick our economic recovery into high gear and ensure the gains are broadly shared across America. We can achieve that by working together to pass legislation that raises wages for middle-class families, expands opportunities for the long-term unemployed to return to work, and ensures fairness in the workplace for all Americans. If, however, we waste our time playing political games that result in more gridlock, we will squander a golden opportunity.
“Our economy has grown faster than most other advanced economies over the past year. The stock market has continued to grow at a double-digit pace and home values are rising. With continued strengthening in employment and income, U.S. consumers and businesses are poised to bolster overall economic growth in coming years. As lawmakers, our responsibility is to ensure that happens.”
Maloney is the Ranking Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee for the 114th Congress.