FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 4, 2021
CONTACT: [email protected]
One Country Statement on May Jobs Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, One Country Project co-founder Heidi Heitkamp issued the following statement after the release of the May jobs report:
“As the country and our economy begin to reopen, it’s clear that the road to economic recovery will take time and continued effort from President Biden and Congress to ensure American workers have the resources and opportunities to get back on their feet. After a lackluster April, in May, the economy added 559,000 jobs and the unemployment rate dropped below 6% for the first time since the pandemic began in March 2020.
“The American Rescue Plan, passed by efforts from the Biden administration and congressional Democrats, was the first step in helping our economy and communities build back better – and it worked. With funding and relief from the federal government, American workers were able to start looking for new jobs and employers were able to reopen their doors and hire new workers. However, the past few months have shown to create sustainable job growth, we must continue to pass legislation that grows the economy and invests in long-term, good-paying jobs.
“To truly build back better, we need to make sure all workers are paid a living wage and have access to necessary resources like child care, especially in rural areas. By raising the minimum wage, opening doors for entrepreneurs in rural communities by expanding broadband, and continuing to ensure everyone is vaccinated, our lawmakers have the opportunity to continue to bring stability to American workers and make rural America a cornerstone of the post-pandemic economic recovery.”
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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.