Congresswoman Maxine Waters: Minorities Continue to Face Unemployment Crisis

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) cheered today's report that the nation's overall unemployment rate fell to 9.7 percent in January from 10 percent in December, but she expressed concern that African American unemployment jumped from 16.2 to 16.5 percent during the same period – almost double the rate of white unemployment, which fell to 8.7 percent. In fact, since November 2009 unemployment for African Americans has increased by almost an entire percentage point. Hispanic Americans also face record high unemployment at 12.6 percent.

"It's painfully clear that African Americans and Latinos continue to bear the brunt of this economic recession," said Congresswoman Waters. "More must be done. We cannot in good conscience welcome these numbers without acknowledging the disparity that exists between the general population and communities of color. As lawmakers we must not shy away from targeted public policy that seeks to address the specific and unique issues facing minority communities."

Congresswoman Waters recently led efforts to secure assistance for communities that are still reeling from the effects of the recession. She led a group of Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) lawmakers on the Financial Services Committee in securing $4 billion within the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 for unemployed homeowners and devastated communities dealing with the foreclosure crisis.

The Congresswoman also voted for the House Jobs on Main Street Act in December, which provides $75 billion for highways and transit, school renovation, hiring teachers, police, and firefighters, small businesses, and job training. It also extends emergency unemployment benefits, COBRA and Medicaid health benefits, and cuts taxes by making the Child Tax Credit available to all low-income families.

"Having been a leading advocate in securing emergency funding for job creation and unemployment benefits, I realize that we must also focus on long-term strategies to put all Americans back to work, particularly in the African American and Hispanic communities," said Congresswoman Waters. "Our country's economic recovery won't be as strong or complete if some communities continue to suffer from long-term unemployment." 

She vowed, "I am going to redouble my efforts in Congress to make sure that job-creation solutions benefit all Americans."

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