Ranking Member Scott Statement on February Jobs Report

Ranking Member Scott Statement on February Jobs Report

WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.3 percent to 4.4 percent.

"Hardworking Americans are finding that a comfortable, affordable life is increasingly out of reach. The cost of health care, groceries, child care, student loans, and rent continues to rise, while workers are being left behind. According to a new report from Vanguard, a record number of Americans are raiding their 401(k) savings to cover their living expenses.

"While working families fight to stay afloat, the Trump Administration's economic policies are funneling money into the pockets of the wealthy. The top 10 percent of Americans accounted for a record 49.2 percent of all spending in 2025, while the rest of America is being forced to cut back. Regrettably, the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans have only deepened this divide by driving up health care costs to provide tax cuts for the wealthy in their 'Big, Ugly Bill.'

"The total number of jobs created in President Trump's first year since returning to office was only 290,000 - a number the Biden Administration exceeded on average in a single month during his term in office. In fact, since President Trump returned to office, there has not been a single month in which the economy created as many jobs as President Biden's average monthly job performance of 321,000 jobs.

"This is not the kind of economic performance working families were promised. During President Trump's most recent State of the Union he repeatedly bragged about the strength of the economy. The truth is, this is the fifth month of job loss since President Trump returned to office.

"The American people deserve a government that prioritizes everyone- not just the wealthy few. Our economy is only strong when workers are strong. Democrats will continue to fight for policies that put working people first, create good jobs, and lower everyday costs for all Americans."

To see a chart comparing the cumulative seasonally adjusted job change by month between President Trump's first and second terms, and President Biden's presidency, click here.

To see a chart comparing the total job change between President Trump's first 13 months in office and President Biden's first 13 months in office, click here.

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