GORHAM, ME – In response to the September jobs report released today by the U.S. Department of Labor, which revealed that the economy added 248,000 new jobs, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement:

“Today’s report provides welcome news that the economic recovery is approaching the pace we need to restore the pre-recession jobs climate. On National Manufacturing Day, the report also unfortunately shows flat manufacturing growth, demonstrating that Congress must do more to boost American industry. Additionally, this week’s announcement of the closure of Verso Paper’s Bucksport mill demonstrates that this recovery is far from over and that many challenges are still ahead,” Senator King said. “Congress should be doing more to accelerate the economic recovery, like entering into trade agreements that are more fair to American workers and finding better ways to connect the jobless with available employment opportunities. As long as I serve the people of Maine in the U.S. Senate, I will continue to fight for legislation that helps struggling Americans get back on their feet.” 

Senator King recently introduced the On-the-Job Training Act with Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), which would allow states the flexibility to use their unemployment trust fund dollars to link unemployed workers with businesses willing to provide on-site training to new hires. 

 A coalition of manufacturing organizations has declared today as National Manufacturing Day. Senator King will spend the day touring a series of participating Maine businesses.

The Department of Labor announced today that the economy added 248,000 jobs in September and that the unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 5.9 percent. The report also revised August employment gains upward to 180,000 and July employment gains up to 243,000.

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