WASHINGTON, DC (February 7, 2014) – Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics unveiled the January employment situation, showing the economy added 113,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dropped slightly to 6.6 percent. The following is a statement from BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster:

“In his State of the Union speech, President Obama unveiled a bold vision that will steer the country towards long-term economic growth, bolster the middle class and better protect communities from the effects of climate change. While job growth continues to increase, it is not at the level that it should be to solve the nation’s unemployment and underemployment problems. In fact, this month’s jobs report confirms that we must take action now by implementing the investment policies that will move the country forward.

“Next week, hundreds of the country’s environmental, business, union and community leaders gather in Washington, D.C. at the Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference. They will be focused on how we can immediately begin to repair our nation’s infrastructure systems, create a more efficient and more prosperous economy with family-sustaining jobs, and address climate change. It is time for Congress to get off its hands and take action to Repair America—they can start by passing the National Infrastructure Development Bank Act authored by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).”