FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 6, 2019
CONTACT: [email protected]
One Country Statement on the July Jobs Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, One Country Project co-founder Heidi Heitkamp issued the following statement after the release of the July jobs report:“The robust job gains and economic growth in July reflect how relief delivered by President Biden and Democrats in Congress coupled with expanded vaccination efforts are helping Americans get back on their feet – and back to work. We have seen that specific aid programs like the expanded Child Tax Credit and enhanced unemployment insurance are having a direct impact on the well-being of families and the American economy.
"While the U.S. added 943,000 jobs overall, Republican-controlled states that slashed federal unemployment benefits saw a pronounced decrease in hiring, affirming that stripping support from hard-working families does not parlay into more jobs – it hurts workers and hinders economic growth. Paying workers a living wage and providing access to necessary resources, such as childcare, is key to helping Americans rejoin the workforce, particularly in the rural communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
“Additionally, as the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant threatens to undermine our economic recovery, we must ensure accurate information about the vaccine encourages everyone to get vaccinated. This is especially true in hard-to-reach communities that don’t have easy access to clinics.
“Despite the summer’s positive hiring trends, millions of rural Americans remain out of work. We look forward to Congress passing the bipartisan infrastructure deal to create good-paying 21st-century jobs and bring sustainable economic opportunities to rural communities across the country.”
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About One Country ProjectThe One Country Project, led by former Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Joe Donnelly, is working to promote greater opportunities for rural communities and ensure leaders earn their support. One Country is reengaging with rural Americans, serving as a clearinghouse of research and information for rural Americans, and working to ensure leaders regain trust by fighting for these communities. To learn more, visit the website, OneCountryProject.org.