Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May jobs report showing that the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 9.1 percent and 54,000 total nonfarm jobs were added:

“Recent slowing in manufacturing growth, continuing problems in the housing market and surging gasoline prices took some momentum away from the recovery in May. We need stronger job growth. Too many Americans are still hurting -- struggling to put food on the table and to pay their rent or mortgage. Unemployment remains unacceptably high.

“While the economy added private-sector jobs for the 15^th consecutive month, and has added 2.1 million private-sector positions during that time, the pace of job growth in May slowed from the previous three months. Washington has to do more to drive private-sector job growth and to help Americans get back to work.

“While we can’t wave a wand and magically bring down the unemployment rate, policymakers can and must continue to invest in innovation, education and our nation’s infrastructure. Congress also needs to extend Trade Adjustment Assistance to help workers who have seen their jobs move overseas build the skills they need to find new, good-paying jobs.

“We’ve made progress in the past year and a half, but we still have a long way to go to regain the jobs lost during the Great Recession. Washington cannot lose its focus on job creation. We need to do everything possible to strengthen the economy and help unemployed Americans get back on their feet.”

To view monthly employment chart, click here.