Black Lawmakers Wonder, Where Are the Jobs?
Since the Republican Party took control of the U.S. House of Representatives 100 days ago, it has pledged to promote economic growth and job creation. It has stubbornly refused to raise taxes on the wealthy and close corporate loopholes, arguing that such moves would discourage businesses from taking the risk of bringing on more employees. But the nation’s unemployment rate continues at an historic high, and Democrats are asking, “Where are the jobs?”
“Today marks the 100th day of in the 112th Congress, which means 100 days for the House of Representatives under Republican leadership. As the Congressional Black Caucus prepares to present our Fiscal Year 2012 Alternative Budget, the Republican leadership has yet to offer one jobs bill or any solutions for job creation,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). “Instead they continue to offer draconian cuts that will critically wound and significantly impact vulnerable communities. Stripping our children of educational opportunities, ending Medicare as we know it, raising health care costs for seniors and cutting vital programs for our communities.”
According to Cleaver, African-American and other ethnic minority communities have been hit hardest by the recession and are experiencing disproportionately higher rates of unemployment, home foreclosures, educational achievement gaps and economic hardship. The Republican 2012 budget proposal, he says, will make things even worse.
“No jobs, just cuts. No investment in our communities, no recovery. We must do better—we owe it to the American people,” Cleaver said.
Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) seconds the statement.
“Last year, all we heard from them [Republicans] was ‘Where are the jobs?’ But now that they run the House it’s a different story,” he said Thursday, adding that the Republicans’ budget proposal protects tax subsidies for companies that ship jobs overseas, maintains tax giveaways to big oil companies and makes permanent tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, to the tune of $1 trillion.
“I don’t know that the American people can stomach another 100 days, let alone 265 days, of misplaced Republican priorities,” Clyburn said.
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(Photo: Jason Reed/Landov)
