WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The White House said Friday the addition of just 1,000 new jobs in December underscored that more needs to be done to revitalize the U.S. economy.
"The president is not satisfied because there are still people looking for work who can't find a job," spokesman Scott McClellan said. "That's why there is still more to do."
The Labor Department said Friday non-farm payrolls increased by 1,000 in December from a revised rise of 43,000 in November.
Many economists had expected a rise above 100,000 in December.
U.S. unemployment stood at 8.4 million people, 5.7 percent in December compared with 5.9 percent the previous month, the Labor Department said.
"It's not good enough," Bush said later, but it still showed the economy was improving.
The administration argues that congressional action of plans to bolster America's business climate would help improve the situation. Among initiatives are lawsuit reform, a comprehensive energy policy, regulatory reform, increased trade and making tax cuts permanent.
