FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 3, 2020
CONTACT: [email protected]
One Country Statement on March 2020 Jobs Report
COVID-19 Has Brought the Economy to a Halt
WASHINGTON, D.C. – One Country Project co-founders Heidi Heitkamp and Joe Donnelly issued the following statement after the release of the March jobs report. It showed employment growth declined, with 701,000 jobs lost last month and unemployment rising to 4.1 percent due to COVID-19 forcing the economy to a standstill.“This level of unemployment comes as no surprise, unfortunately, and is only the tip of the iceberg, with data from mid-March, before many stay-at-home orders began to take effect. With COVID-19 spreading across the Unites States and forcing small businesses to close, those in the retail and service industries are being hurt the most.
“The President’s approach to this virus has been to blame everyone else, from the media to governors from blue states, and more, instead of taking responsibility for the United States’ botched response. Instead of obsessing over the stock market, the president should think of ways to help the millions of Americans who are without jobs and without health insurance as a result,” said OCP co-founder Heidi Heitkamp.
“These unemployment numbers show the stark reality of the pandemic, and it is only going to get worse. We have Americans who couldn’t afford to pay this month’s rent or mortgage because they lost their job.
“We need to get the programs in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act up and running. Americans need to know the government is there for them when times get rough, and that includes making sure programs like unemployment benefits, paid sick leave, and small business assistance are working,” added OCP co-founder Joe Donnelly.
Yesterday’s unemployment claims announcement, showed 6,648,000 Americans filed for unemployment the last week in March, shattering the record of the previous week, and showing the tremendous strain on the economy. In Pennsylvania alone 405,880 Americans filed claims, while in Michigan claims were at 311,086, and in Texas claims were 275,597. See below for a snapshot of state unemployment claims from around the country.
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About One Country Project
The 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.