Washington D.C. – Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, released the following statement today calling for an extension of unemployment benefits:

“While Friday’s unemployment numbers represent the lowest number of jobs lost in the last year, they remain a painful reminder that millions of American workers and their families are hurting.

“Although these numbers demonstrate President Obama’s economic recovery program is working, we know that in many regions of the country the pain is more acute. African American and other communities of color always suffer more when our economy is struggling. It is essential that as we get Americaback on the road to economic recovery, so no American is left behind.

“Congress must continue to work with President Obama to undo the failed economic policies of the former Bush Administration by putting Americans back to work.

“We must heed the urgent call to extend unemployment benefits. This is an important step toward helping the millions of Americans who have been looking for a job for more than six months and will help them feed their families, prevent foreclosure or fall further into poverty. I urge Congress to act swiftly to extend unemployment benefits when we return in the fall.”