Ranking Member Scott Statement on May Jobs Report

Ranking Member Scott Statement on May Jobs Report

WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy gained 172,000 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3 percent.

"Despite how hard they work, many families continue to feel squeezed by the rising cost of living. Under President Biden, at this point in his term, the economy had created 9.1 million jobs, compared to just 733,000 under President Trump's second term. In the 16 months of the present Administration, not a single month has achieved the Biden 4-year average of 321,000 new jobs per month.

"Because of the policy decisions made by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans, Americans are now experiencing a 'K-shaped' economy. This means those at the top continue to build wealth while many working- and middle-class families struggle to keep up with the cost of housing, groceries, utilities, and other necessities. Similarly concerning, inflation continues to put pressure on working families' pocket books, eating away at workers' wage gains. And Americans' personal savings rate has fallen from 5.8 percent to just 2.6 percent over the past year, underscoring that families are struggling to make ends meet.

"Americans deserve an economy that works for them. Congress must focus on lowering costs, raising wages, expanding economic opportunity, and ensuring that growth reaches everyone-not just the wealthy and well-connected."

To see a chart comparing the cumulative seasonally adjusted job change by month between President Trump's first and second terms, and President Biden's presidency,click here.

To see a chart comparing the total job change between President Trump's first 16 months in office and President Biden's first 15 months in office, click here.

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