| |  | | | | America never forgets
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Seated, from left, are: Brigadier General Marshall B. "Brad" Webb, Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command; Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Standing, from left, are: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; Chief of Staff Bill Daley; Tony Binken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; Audrey Tomason Director for Counterterrorism; John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Please note: a classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
This week began with good, but very somber news. Almost ten years after the devastating attacks on September 11th, a day we will forever have etched in our hearts, Osama bin Laden was killed at the just hand of the United States of America. We did not forget, we did not waiver, and last Sunday, we finished the job. Just as the President did yesterday in New York, all of us remember the thousands of Americans who were killed at the direct orders of this madman. As a former member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I was informed about the diligent work of the Department of Homeland Security, the intelligence community, armed forces, and other critical partners in the overall fight against terrorism. Our entire intelligence apparatus is to be commended on a job well done.
I want to commend our men and women in uniform for successfully developing and executing the plans to deal with al Qaeda's founder and leader, Osama bin Laden. His death marks the end of a treacherous and tumultuous time in our world's history. The Obama Administration has accomplished one of the most significant achievements in our nation's efforts to combat terrorism worldwide.
Although we recognize this victory as a new day in our nation's efforts against global terrorism, we do recognize that the threat of terrorism still exists and we must remain vigilant. This week has been a time to reflect and remember. It is also a week during which all Americans deserve to be proud.
President Barack Obama pauses after placing a wreath at the foot of the Survivor Tree on Memorial Plaza at the site of the National September 11th Memorial and Museum at Ground Zero in New York, N.Y., May 5, 2011. The wreath was supplied by Flowers of the World, which had a shop on the ground floor of 4 World Trade Center on the day of the 9/11 attack. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The Employment Situation in April
As I have done each month for quite some time, let me take a moment to pass along what Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers has to say about this month's jobs report:
Today's employment report shows that private sector payrolls increased by 268,000 in April, the strongest monthly growth in five years. The economy has added 2.1 million private sector jobs over 14 consecutive months, including more than 800,000 jobs since the beginning of the year. The unemployment rate rose to 9.0 percent, but remains 0.8 percentage point below its November level.
Despite headwinds from high energy prices and disruptions from the disaster in Japan, the last three months of private job gains have been the strongest in five years. While the solid pace of employment growth in recent months is encouraging, faster growth is needed to replace the jobs lost in the downturn. We are seeing signs that the initiatives put in place by this Administration – such as the payroll tax cut and business incentives for investment – are creating the conditions for companies to add new jobs and foster the industries of the future. We will continue to work with Congress to find ways to reduce spending, so that we can live within our means without neglecting the investments in education, infrastructure, and clean energy that will strengthen our economy.
In addition to the increases last month, payroll survey estimates of private sector job growth for February (now +261,000) and March (now +231,000) were revised up. Overall payroll employment rose by 244,000 in April, well above market expectations. Payroll employment grew in almost every sector. Solid employment increases occurred in retail trade (+57,100), professional and business services (+51,000), education and health services (+49,000), leisure and hospitality (+46,000), and manufacturing (+29,000). Manufacturing has added 244,000 jobs in the last 14 months, the best period of manufacturing job growth in 13 years. State and local government experienced a decline of 22,000; this sector has shed 289,000 jobs in the past 14 months, mostly in local government.
The unemployment reading in April showed a partial reversal of the 1.0 percentage point decline over the previous four months. Employment measured in the household survey dipped in April and the labor force participation rate was unchanged. The unemployment rate data derive from a separate household survey. The payroll and household surveys can differ on a monthly basis; the household survey is more volatile, but the two surveys typically show similar long-run trends in employment.
The overall trajectory of the economy has improved dramatically over the past two years, but there will surely be bumps in the road ahead. The monthly employment and unemployment numbers are volatile and employment estimates are subject to substantial revision. Therefore, as the Administration always stresses, it is important not to read too much into any one monthly report.
Missouri and Medicare
It's been a little more than a year since the Affordable Care Act became law, but seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare are already reaping its benefits. Thanks to the new law, seniors have access to free preventive care and a free annual wellness visit. People who hit the Medicare prescription drug donut hole are getting a 50 percent discount on their prescription drugs. We have protected and expanded guaranteed benefits for all 47 million Americans on Medicare. And estimates indicate that the new benefits and services provided to seniors by the Affordable Care Act will save the typical senior over $3,500 over the next decade.
Today, the Administration released State-by-State charts that provide more detailed information on how seniors in Missouri are benefitting from the Affordable Care Act. Check out the data for Missouri here >>>.
The table has lots of great information about the one million Missourians who now have better coverage because of the Affordable Care Act, but one stood out to me. Prior to passage of health care reform, Missouri's seniors were not eligible for a free yearly screening. Now, all Missouri residents on Medicare may receive a free annual wellness visit. As of April 20th, 6,668 people on Medicare in Missouri have received a free annual wellness visit. That is great, but I want to point out that all one million Missourians on Medicare should make an appointment and take advantage of this free yearly check up. Please do not wait until you are sick. Preventive care is the key to staying healthy, and I want all of you to protect your health.
Unfortunately, some of my colleagues in Congress want to undo this progress and take us backwards. Under the Republican Medicare plan, a typical 65-year-old who becomes eligible for Medicare would pay an extra $6,400 more than what he or she would pay if the plan were not adopted. You can learn more about that plan here >>>.
Congratulations Mayor Sly James
It was with great pride that I watched as the second African American to serve as the Mayor of Kansas City was sworn in this week. Being the first and only was a honor that I am happy to give up. The Mayor will need a great deal of help from all Kansas Citians as he begins the task of rebuilding our reputation as a city, our pride as a people and our function as a government. To that end, two of my own staff will be joining the Mayor's office. Genaro Ruiz, who served as my long-time Community Affairs Liaison will become the Mayor's new Senior Advisor for Community and Intergovernmental Affairs. And Danny Rotert, my Communications Director for the last six years will serve Mayor James as his Communications Director. While I am very sad to not have them in my office any longer, I am very pleased for the City of Kansas City. These two public servants love this City very much and will work tirelessly to make it an even better place to call home. I thank them for their service and wish them very well as they move to City Hall.
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Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
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