Slideshow: Top Pols React to Poor Jobs Report

Barry Hinckley (R)

Barry Hinckley, Republican Senate candidate

“Once again, the monthly jobs report brings devastating news for the thousands of Rhode Islanders and millions of Americans looking for work.  Not only did our workforce shrink by 368,000, but we are now at a 30-year low in civilian participation rate.  Meaning if we have the same level of civilian participation as we did at the beginning of the recovery, we’d be looking at a jobless rate of well over 10%.  While the selling point of the stimulus bill was to keep unemployment under 8%, we have now experienced 43 straight months of unemployment over 8%.  It is abundantly clear, that the policies of Senator Whitehouse have failed and now Rhode Islanders are looking for a new direction.  Rhode Island cannot afford 6 more years of a career politician who spends his time in Washington, D.C. lining his pockets with special interest money, while leaving his constituents behind.” 

Brendan Doherty (R)

Brendan Doherty, Republican Congressional candidate

"Two years of one party controlling both houses of Congress and the White House have failed to get our economy moving forward. Two years of divisive gridlock and political posturing by both parties have kept us in the economic slow lane. Between this dismal jobs report and out recently crossing the $16 trillion debt threshold, it should be clear that it is time to start electing trustworthy leaders that will work together to find balanced and common sense solutions that can bring prosperity back to America."

Anthony Gemma (D)

James Maloney, Gemm's spokesman

"Mr. Gemma said this news is a positive step and is looking forward to adding to this job growth by creating 10,000 jobs in 5 years in Rhode Island. Last night at the Channel 10 Democratic Primary debate Anthony continued to deliver his message that he is the only candidate with proven job experience.  

"Mr. Gemma’s solutions include investing in our infrastructure to put tradespeople back to work and reducing the Capital Gains Rate to 0% if investors are willing to invest in new small businesses for three years.

"Anthony believes that if we institute his “Vision for the Future” Jobs Plan we will be able to grow our economy and put Rhode Islanders and Americans back to work."

Alan Krueger

Alan B. Krueger, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers

"While there is more work that remains to be done, today’s employment report provides further evidence that the U.S. economy is continuing to recover from the worst downturn since the Great Depression.  It is critical that we continue the policies that are building an economy that works for the middle class as we dig our way out of the deep hole that was caused by the severe recession that began in December 2007.  To create more jobs in particularly hard-hit sectors, President Obama continues to support the elements of the American Jobs Act that have not yet passed, including further investment in infrastructure to rebuild our Nation’s ports, roads and highways, and assistance to State and local governments to prevent layoffs and to enable them to rehire hundreds of thousands of teachers and first responders. To build on the progress of the last few years, President Obama has also proposed an extension of middle class tax cuts that would prevent the typical middle class family from facing a $2,200 tax increase next year."

David Cicilline

Congressman David Cicilline

"These jobs numbers show the 30th month straight of private sector job growth but there is still a lot more work to be down. We need to be fighting for policies that will revitalize manufacturing, investing in our infrastructure, innovation and education and helping small businesses in order to get Rhode Islanders back to work. Republicans need to understand that this is an all hands on deck situation. It's time to put political games aside and focus on real solutions for American families."

Michael Riley

Michael Riley, Republican Congressional candidate

"This month’s job numbers fully portray the disappointment that millions of Americans are feeling about the economy. We added a dismal 96,000 jobs to our economy but what was even more disappointing is that 368,000 Americans gave up looking for jobs. These numbers represent a failure on our current economic policies, and the lack of confidence Americans feel about our current situation."

Jack Reed

Senator Jack Reed

“Senator Reed believes that until every Rhode Islander who can work has a job, no jobs report will be good enough.  A number of proposals to spur job creation and economic growth -- including incentives for small businesses, fixing our infrastructure, and cutting taxes for the middle class -- are on the table and deserve bipartisan support.  This situation didn’t happen overnight, and, frustratingly, it’s going to take time to get back to the kind of balanced budgets and economic growth we had in the 1990s.”

Sheldon Whitehouse

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

“August marks the thirtieth straight month of private sector job growth.  Our economy is moving in the right direction, yet as President Obama reminded us last night, we have more work to do.  Too many Rhode Islanders are still struggling.  That’s why my number one priority in the Senate continues to be fighting to put Rhode Islanders back to work.  I have pushed for tax credits for businesses that hire and to end tax incentives that send jobs overseas.  I fought for highway construction jobs in Rhode Island.  And in the coming days, the Senate will vote to set up training programs and create job opportunities for unemployed veterans.  These are some of the proposals that Rhode Island business owners and workers tell me they need, and I’ll keep working to pass them into law.”