FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 10, 2020
CONTACT: [email protected]
One Country Project Statement on December 2019 Jobs Report
Slowing Job Growth, Weak Progress on Wages Show Trump Economy Falling Short for Average Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tessa Gould, executive director of the One Country Project, issued the following statement after the release of the December jobs report. The report showed employment growth down from November, with 145,000 jobs created last month. These numbers represent the lowest monthly job gains since May.“The state of our economy is a far cry from one that deserves such grand boasts from the president, such as when he declared on Twitter that he has ‘created the strongest economy in our country’s history.’
“The truth is the economy is doing better for some than for others, and that on the whole, 2019 was not as strong for workers as previous years. The construction industry added roughly half the number of jobs in 2019 as in 2018. Manufacturing sectors shed 12,000 jobs in December. Hourly wages rose an average of three cents.
“With a ballooning national deficit, continued trade wars, and meager gains to the average American’s pocketbook, the economy could be in much better shape. The fact that the president is celebrating the miraculous ability for the American economy to chug along despite his best efforts to undermine it speaks for itself.”
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About One Country ProjectThe 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.