WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor
Elaine L. Chao issued the following statement
on the January unemployment numbers released Friday:
"Today's
unemployment rate of 5.2% is the lowest since September 11, 2001," said
Secretary Chao. "We have created 2.7 million new jobs in the last 20 months
— after benchmark adjustments — or a net gain of jobs in President
Bush's first term.
"To keep the momentum going, the Congress needs to
act on the President's proposals to further strengthen our economy through
energy independence, health insurance access for small businesses, social
security reform, and permanent tax relief for working families. "
