Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC—Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) October 2021 jobs report:

“This month’s strong jobs report shows that when Americans feel safe, they are right back to work. These broad-based gains across sectors and positive revisions to prior months’ reports show how intertwined our economic recovery is to the spread of coronavirus, and we have President Biden’s bold investment in vaccine deployment to thank. Parents are now able to get their children vaccinated, which will expand child care options and reduce virus spread, and we must remain vigilant in following the CDC’s guidance on booster shots to ensure we keep on this path of defeating the virus—our economy depends on it.

“While the number of jobs added to the economy beat expectations, labor force participation rates have remained flat. Even before the pandemic, the labor force participation rates, particularly for women, were hindered by piecemeal child care options and a lack of paid family and medical leave. This sluggish rate underscores the need for investing in these crucial supports, which acknowledge workers’ responsibilities outside of their jobs and help them stay in the workforce and advance in their careers.

“The economy is rebounding thanks in large part to the American Rescue Plan’s investments, and the combination of the Build Back Better Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that the House will pass today will continue to help our economy become stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable. This is the moment, and Democrats will deliver.”

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