Today, Representative Pete Aguilar issued the following statement in response to the Department of Labor’s February jobs report.

“Today’s jobs report is a reflection of how far our national economy has come since the financial crisis we faced seven years ago. While we are clearly making strides to put Americans back to work nationally, our job is far from over, especially in San Bernardino County where many working families have yet to feel that difference.”

“My priority has always been to create and support policies that will benefit the Inland Empire’s middle class, and grow our local economy. I have had the opportunity to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support bills that will help local businesses hire more employees to be more competitive with larger companies, and I have co-sponsored legislation to help veterans find employment and receive on-the-job training.”

“I’m proud of what I have been able to accomplish in the few short months I’ve been in office, but there is much that lies ahead. I look forward to continuing to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues so we can finally put San Bernardino County residents back to work. I’m confident that if Congress keeps its focus on key middle-class issues, specifically job creation and investments in transportation and infrastructure, we will be able to provide the Inland Empire’s working families with the resources they need to catch up to the rest of the nation.”

The Department of Labor released its jobs report for the month of February this morning. According to the report, the national economy added 295,000 jobs last month, lowering the unemployment rate from 5.7% in January to 5.5%. Last month, Rep. Aguilar held a series of Jobs Roundtable Discussions with San Bernardino County business owners, community leaders, veterans, and labor representatives to discuss job creation and economic opportunity in the Inland Empire.