Rep. Johnson meets with Pres. Obama at White House to discuss jobs

Congressman joins CBC colleagues at White House, urges focus on 'chronically unemployed':

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Johnson and Congressional Black Caucus colleagues joined President Obama at the White House on Thursday to discuss the urgency of America’s unemployment crisis, especially for minority communities and the chronically unemployed.

AP PHOTO (Alice Keeney): Hank and President Obama arrive in Savannah, GA, on Air Force One - March 2, 2010.

Rep. Johnson acknowledged that President Obama inherited an economy on the brink of collapse and that concerted efforts to avert a depression and stabilize the economy had been successful. But he insisted that the country will face a long-term, chronic unemployment crisis unless further steps are taken to support sustained economic growth.

“We averted disaster and stabilized the economy,” said Johnson. “But that’s not enough. The task at hand is to promote a robust, inclusive recovery. African-American and Latino communities are still reeling. We need to focus our efforts on the most vulnerable Americans.”

Rep. Johnson and his Congressional Black Caucus colleagues have focused in 2010 on direct and targeted job creation and training for the chronically unemployed.

In February, the rate of unemployment for African Americans was 15.8 percent, compared with 12.4 percent for Hispanics and 8.8 percent for whites (Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 5, 2010.)

Johnson and members of the CBC said summer jobs for young people must also be part of our direct job creation efforts. Such programs immediately put people on a payroll at a low cost and at $2,000 per job, would provide 1 million summer jobs for $2 billion.

Finally, Johnson emphasized to the President the importance of ensuring that minority businesses have a fair opportunity to access Recovery Act funds and federal grants.

Health care also on the table

Rep. Johnson told the President that his constituents support immediate passage of comprehensive health care reform. As Regional Whip for the Southeast, Rep. Johnson serves in the House leadership and is involved in efforts to ensure there are sufficient votes to pass a reform bill.

“Mr. President, it is time to set aside our difference and unite behind health care reform. You have my support,” said Johnson.

Some solutions on jobs

Other essential elements of a comprehensive jobs package should include, but not be limited to:
● Creating public jobs initiatives, involving the Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration and the Corporation for National and Community Service, to maximize direct training and hiring.
● Locally directed funding for Summer Youth Employment; collegiate -level internships and/or fellowships; and apprenticeship programs.
● Enforcing the minority contracting requirements under the Department of Transportation; promoting equal access to funding for projects of the National Significant and National Corridor grants in the extension of SAFETEA-LU; and strengthening apprenticeship and training programs.
● Expanding unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits.
● Providing access to capital and technical assistance to capital for small business from SBA and MBDA.

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