(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Representative Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, today announced the appointment of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) to chair the Democratic Caucus Taskforce on Jobs and the Economy.

 "In a short amount of time, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz has already proven herself to be a leader in our caucus," Menendez said.  "In this new leadership position, she will take on an expanded role in shaping policy on the economic challenges our country faces."

As chair of the Jobs and Economy Taskforce, Wasserman Schultz will help formulate House Democratic policy on both short- and long-term economic issues, from tax policy to efforts to stimulate economic growth.  She is the only freshman to chair a Taskforce.

 "I am honored to have been named to chair this important taskforce and would like to thank Chairman Menendez and my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus for this significant appointment," Wasserman Schultz said.  "As Chair of the House Democrats Jobs and the Economy Task Force, I look forward to working with my colleagues to get our economy back on track -such as enacting tax relief for working families, ensuring access to capital for small businesses, and rewarding companies that create jobs, making healthcare more accessible and affordable.

"Just last week we had the worst week on the stock market in two years," said Wasserman Schultz.  "Oil prices remain over $50 a barrel, squeezing working families further with rising gas prices and now this week we are greeted with the news that General Motors lost $1.1 Billion this quarter, in part because they now pay $5.2 billion a year in medical and health insurance costs each year -equal to roughly $1,500 per vehicle.

"President Bush and the Republicans in Congress have taken our economy from a record surplus to record deficit and from vibrant to stagnant job growth." Wasserman Schultz said.  "It is time to hold them accountable to the hard working middle class families of America who are finding it harder to make ends meet."

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