Staff Report / March 9, 2026
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York issued a statement on March 6 criticizing federal economic policies following the release of a new national employment report showing job losses in February.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States lost 92,000 jobs in February while the national unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent. The report also estimated that about 7.6 million Americans were unemployed during the month.
In response to the figures, Gillibrand said the report highlights what she described as the impact of current Republican economic policies under President Donald Trump. In a statement released by her office, the senator said the jobs report “underscores the complete wreckage” of the administration’s agenda and argued that working-class Americans are facing higher costs and a weaker economy.
The February employment report marked an unexpected setback for the labor market. Economists had forecast job growth, but payrolls instead declined by about 92,000 positions. The unemployment rate rose slightly from the previous month, reaching 4.4 percent.
Federal labor data show that several sectors experienced declines during the month. Health care employment fell by about 28,000 jobs, in part due to strike activity, while losses were also recorded in manufacturing, construction, and information services. Federal government employment also continued a downward trend.
Despite the drop in jobs, wages continued to rise modestly. Average hourly earnings for private-sector workers increased by 15 cents in February to $37.32, representing a 3.8 percent increase over the past year.
The monthly employment report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is closely watched by policymakers and economists as a key measure of the nation’s economic health. The report combines data from household and employer surveys to track employment levels, wages, and labor force participation across the country.
Gillibrand said Democrats will continue pushing policies aimed at lowering costs for Americans and expanding access to health care while advocating for working families.
The February jobs data was released March 6 and will likely factor into ongoing economic discussions in Washington in the weeks ahead.
