September 5, 2014 - San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy added 142,000 jobs and the unemployment rate dropped to 6.1 percent.  With businesses adding 134,000 jobs, this marks the 54th consecutive month of private sector job growth.

“Today’s jobs report shows our economy continuing to move forward.  It is clear, however, that Republicans’ special interest obstruction and dysfunction are stalling the middle class and costing our country jobs.

“Across the country, Americans are raising a drumbeat for action, calling for a Congress committed to creating jobs, jumpstarting the middle class, and building an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.  They want us to spend September creating good paying jobs, raising the minimum wage, renewing emergency unemployment insurance, standing with students, and giving America’s women the respect of equal pay for equal work.  Yet House Republicans continue to insist on putting the special interests ahead of everyone else, planning yet another month of special interest giveaways – including their 53rd vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

“Middle-class families cannot afford more of Republicans’ special interest priorities.  It is long past time for Republicans to reconsider their contempt for hard-working Americans, and come together with Democrats to deliver the future of promise and prosperity that every American deserves.”