Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Representative Jim Renacci (OH-16) released the following statement on the December unemployment report:

“December marked the 35 consecutive month Americans have suffered through an unemployment rate above 8 percent. By comparison with the last three years, an 8.5 percent unemployment rate almost looks positive. That illustrates just how bad the economy has been. Far too many Americans are still struggling to find permanent jobs, and the tax-and-spend policies of many in Washington have not had a significant or even meaningful positive impact on the jobless rate in this country.

“My colleagues and I in the House of Representatives have delivered 28 job creation bills to the Senate, where many have sat for almost a year without receiving a vote. The American people deserve action on those bills. The President also has an opportunity to help get thousands back to work immediately if he approves the XL pipeline. That project has bipartisan support and the support of labor groups, as well as the added benefit of reducing our dependence on overseas oil supplies and lowering energy prices here at home.”

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