One Country Statement on March 2023 Jobs Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 7, 2023

CONTACT: [email protected]

One Country Statement on March 2023 Jobs Report

“The 236,000 jobs created in March indicates a solid job market, but employers have started to pull back after a year of surges in hiring and pay. The slowdown in wage growth this month – slowed to a nearly two-year low of 4.2% from 4.6% in February – may be sign of slowing inflation but raises concerns for hardworking Americans battling the escalating costs of everyday life. Consumers at the end of 2023 could be paying almost more for the same groceries compared with 2021, and in the wake of OPEC’s decision to reduce oil production last week gas prices have gone up nearly 10 cents per gallon from week-ago levels. 

“Democrats in Congress and the Biden administration are keenly focused on creating jobs and more breathing room for Americans. The Biden administration has invested heavily in infrastructure, innovation, and manufacturing to create good-paying jobs here at home. We are pleased to see the Administration going out into communities to explain how Democrats policies have been Investing in America, specifically in rural America.

“In contrast, Republicans in Congress continue to pursue their plans to cut funding for critical programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at a time when about 30 million people will be losing food-stamp benefits and 10 million students across the U.S. will lose free school meals with pandemic relief programs expiring. The House Freedom Caucus’ extreme budget proposal would take away nutrition services, such as Meals on Wheels, for more than 1 million seniors — a group that is particularly struggling to keep up with rising food costs.”

“As the legislative season pushes onward, the One Country Project will continue to keep rural Americans priorities at the forefront of policy discussions to ensure their daily lives and futures are protected and advanced.”

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Rural America holds an essential role in moving the United States forward and the One Country Project is dedicated to ensuring Rural America’s priorities and values are heard and reflected in policy at the federal level. To learn more, visit us at www.onecountryproject.com or on Twitter or Facebook.