Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke applauded a report from the Department of Labor that the United States added 203,00 jobs in November, reducing the unemployment rate to seven percent – the lowest percentage in five years.

The increase in employment occurred despite substantial reductions in federal spending as a result of the budget sequester, which most economists believe has constrained our economy from higher rates of growth and a lower level of unemployment.

“I am encouraged by the number of jobs that were created in November, as our economy continues to improve. These improvements have occurred despite policies enacted by Congress that have limited the ability of people who want to work to find jobs,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “I call on my colleagues in Congress to consider that we could reduce the unemployment rate even more, by repealing the budget sequester and investing in the resources such as early children education that will establish the foundations for a Twenty-First Century economy.”