U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), a member of the House Budget and Ways & Means Committees, released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the U.S. added 215,000 jobs in March, ahead of forecasts that expected 203,000 jobs added. The unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 5 percent.

"We are adding jobs and climbing back into our position as a global economic leader. This economic turnaround has been steady and robust, and there is much hope it will continue," said Rep. Pascrell. "While revisions from January and February reduced the gains by 1,000 jobs, we're still averaging over 200,000 jobs added per month over the past three months. That's real progress."

"With this continued growth, we need to start directing our attention to investments in our infrastructure, which will only be a further boon to our economy. I'm backing legislation that can aid funding for roads and bridges, pipes and tunnels, but we need to make a commitment now."

"The cuts to vital services and investments included in the recently-proposed Republican budget would take us in the wrong direction. Their draconian cuts would only halt the progress of our steadily improving economic outlook. I will continue fighting for investments that grow our economy and keep us on stable footing moving forward. We can reduce the deficit responsibly without the dangerous disinvestment that Republicans are proposing."