Ellison Report: Says Jobs Data Sounds Alarm

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), who represents Fridley in Congress, once again sounded off about the in a press release after the U.S. Department of Labor's hiring report was released Friday.

"This month’s jobs report again sounds an alarm that Republicans have been ignoring for months: it is time to focus on jobs," he said in the release. "For almost 250 days, Republicans have been running the House of Representatives, yet they have not offered a single proposal to put Americans back to work. Instead, they have further damaged our economy by seeking to end programs that support middle-class Americans."

Further, this report comes just days before President Barack Obama is to address the country with his "jobs plan." The New York Times reported the "zero in the jobs column" on the report signaled the bleak state of the U.S. economy and sent the stocks sliding Friday—with the possibility of a double-dip recession increasing.

No doubt, this new data won't make it any easier for the president to provide comfort and hope to Americans, but Ellison said he is looking forward to hearing his address Thursday evening.

"The Congressional Progressive Caucus has urged the President to support emergency jobs legislation to immediately put millions of Americans back to work," he said. "We also hope to hear bold ideas from the President—and I hope Congress will be bold enough to act."

Ellison ended his release by saying: "Our country is desperate for a plan to create jobs. It is time for both parties to focus on this crisis.”

In addition, to celebrate Labor Day Ellison and his team is hosting a community barbecue from 1-3 p.m. Monday at Minneahaha Regional Park. Party-goers are encouraged to bring a dish to share and a nonperishable food item for a food drive taking place.

The Ellison Report is a regular feature with news and views on Fridley's representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.