Sen. Jeff Sessions (R., Ala.) released a statement Friday expressing his disappointment regarding the Department of Labor Statistics' August report.
The U.S. economy added just 142,000 jobs in August, falling short of a projected 225,000 new jobs. Peter Cappelli, a management professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, told Forbes the numbers were "worrying," as they continue a downward trend of new jobs throughout the summer months.
"Today’s jobs report came in far below expectations," Sessions said.
"Twice as many people left the labor force last month as found jobs, and there are now 92.3 million people outside the workforce entirely. The number of workers in the labor force has fallen by more than 7 million since President Obama took office, even though the working-age population is 13.4 million larger.
"Nearly one in three African-American teenagers are unemployed. Median household income, adjusted for inflation, is down $2,300 since 2009. Yet with millions of Americans out of work, the President persists in pushing a plan that would double the number of legal workers who can take any job throughout the economy.
"He further declares that he will issue executive actions to grant unilateral amnesty and work authorization to 5 million or more illegal immigrants. This is likewise stunningly bad policy, and is a violation of legitimate executive power. This idea has been rejected by Congress and the American people. The nation must focus directly on putting Americans and legal immigrants living here today to work, not unlawful workers."
Sessions recommended creating more jobs by producing more energy, eliminating unnecessary regulations, and enforcing immigration laws.