Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

December 16, 2021

Today we received further evidence that our jobs recovery is one of the strongest ever. The average number of Americans filing for unemployment over the last 4 weeks is now at its lowest level since 1969. When I took office, over 18 million were receiving unemployment benefits, today only 2 million are. We've added nearly 6 million jobs this year, the most of any first year President in history. That's good news for the millions of families who are back to work and will have a happier holiday season this year.

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, and our successful vaccination program, Americans are back at work at a record-setting pace. And families have more money in their pockets: Americans on average have about $100 more in their pockets each month than they did last year, after accounting for inflation.

Even as we've built a historic jobs and economic recovery, addressing rising prices, supply chain challenges, and COVIDâ19 are my top priorities. We need to continue to take concrete actions to address elevated prices and to lower costs for American families, including by lowering prescription drug costs, health care costs, childcare costs, and housing costs with the Build Back Better plan. And, we need to do everything we can to get as many Americans vaccinated and boosted as possible.

NOTE: The statement referred to H.R. 5376.

Categories: Statements by the President : Unemployment insurance claims.

Subjects: Commerce, international : Global supply chain disruptions, efforts to address; Diseases

: Coronavirus, domestic prevention efforts; Economy, national : Inflation; Economy, national : Strengthening efforts; Employment and unemployment : Job creation and growth; Employment and unemployment : Unemployment insurance; Legislation, proposed : Build Back Better Act.

DCPD Number: DCPD202101065.

1