PATERSON, NJ – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Budget Committee, released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the U.S. added 255,000 jobs in July, greatly surpassing expectations for the month.

"With 255,000 jobs created in July and upward revisions for May and June, this marks 70 consecutive months of job growth, the longest streak under any president. Another strong jobs number, once again beating predictions, puts us solidly on the path to low unemployment and better wage growth for working Americans," Rep. Pascrell said. "If anyone tells you the American economy is showing cracks, they're not seeing what I'm seeing."

"Average private-sector earnings were up eight cents. Job growth was strong in professional and business jobs, health care, and financial activities. As I've said, the economic recovery would not be complete until wages start to rise across all sectors, and we're seeing that now," Rep. Pascrell said. "The gains would be even greater if Republicans in Congress would stop blocking policies to strengthen the middle class, like increasing the minimum wage, promoting tax fairness, improving access to affordable child care, and investing in our infrastructure."