House Democrats want unemployment answer

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives said Friday that in light of new unemployment figures, an economic stimulus package is the best response.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement that with Friday's report showing the highest unemployment rate in five years, passing a new stimulus package is the best chance for the U.S. economy to recuperate.

"With the unemployment rate at a five-year high, it is clear that we must take immediate action to strengthen our economy," Pelosi said, adding that Congress "will soon act on a second economic stimulus package and a comprehensive energy plan that will create new American jobs, invest in renewables, increase domestic production, make America more energy independent."

The U.S. Labor Department announced Friday that the nationwide unemployment rate tands at 6.1 percent. That figure was part of a report that said the U.S. economy lost 84,000 last month, marking the third consecutive month that U.S. companies cut more positions than expected.