Washington, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), incoming Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, issued the following statement after the Labor Department released its December jobs report showing that non-farm payroll employment increased by 223,000, the unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, and Black and Hispanic unemployment fell below pre-pandemic levels:
“The December jobs report represents another month of strong hiring and caps one of the best years for job growth in our nation’s history. In 2022, the US economy added 4.5 million jobs, following the addition of a record 6.4 million jobs in 2021. During the first two years of the Biden Administration, the economy has grown and created new jobs at a prolific pace. This is thanks in large part to the policies enacted by congressional Democrats. Last Congress, Democrats worked tirelessly to empower workers, invest in small businesses, and push the American economy forward. Today’s report is more proof of the positive impact of the Democratic economic agenda.
“The economic progress we’ve made over the last two years is undeniable, but there is still much work to do. We must continue to lower costs for working families, improve the plight of workers, and grow the economy from the bottom up and the middle out. Unfortunately, as Republicans remain unable to select a speaker and organize the House of Representatives, we are unable to get to work on behalf of the American people. Small businesses deserve a functional Congress that works to advance their interests. I stand ready to work with my colleagues and the Biden Administration to build on the Democratic achievements of the 117th Congress and continue to create an environment where all small businesses can succeed.”
