Slight jump due to Omicron and seasonal transition.
The Department of Labor released its unemployment data for the first week of January on Thursday, showing a slight increase in jobless claims compared to the week before. The rise from 207,000 in the last week of December to 230,000 by January 8 being attributed to the Omicron variant remains only just above pre-pandemic numbers.
The White House remains optimistic about the job market and the president’s agenda for job creation. National Economic Council Director Brian Deese stated, “A number of projections and forecasts have come out differently than we anticipated.” He added, “Virtually nobody was projecting that we would see unemployment fall as quickly as it has and get to 3.9 percent.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For officials in the Department of Labor as they continue to provide the public with employment data.
- That the president would seek the Lord’s direction as he proposes legislation for the economy and employment.
- For Director Deese as he advises the president and presents economic information to the public.
Sources: The Hill, The White House
