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Ayanna Pressley: “During the COVID 19 pandemic and record layoffs, the Fed…”

Featuring: Ayanna Pressley, Democratic | U.S. House Massachusetts, 7th Congressional District

Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment

Published May 13, 2026 | Video Starts at 03:15

So the Fed's mandate is essential and always has been. During The Great Recession of 2008, massive job loss. The Fed stepped in to maximize employment. During the COVID 19 pandemic and record layoffs, the Fed once again pursued its mandate of maximum employment. And in this moment, we need the Fed to do more, not less. For months, I've been sounding the alarm about the current unemployment crisis. (03:15–03:23)

CLAIM

Asserts that the Federal Reserve pursued maximum employment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Ayanna Pressley

“There was nearly unanimous support by Republicans and Democrats for maximum employment when the mandate passed Congress.”
Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment | Uploaded May 13, 2026 | 02:45-02:49
“The Federal Reserve Board of Governors is the only independent agency that works on improving employment.”
Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment | Uploaded May 13, 2026 | 02:54-02:58
“Black unemployment specifically is at 7.3%. These are the worst rates we've seen since the pandemic.”
Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment | Uploaded May 13, 2026 | 03:42-03:49
“I vigorously opposed this legislation to strip the mandate for maximum employment from the mission of the Federal Reserve.”
Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment | Uploaded May 13, 2026 | 00:03-00:11
“Maximizing employment is good for our economy, it's good for our communities, it's good for our families.”
Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment | Uploaded May 13, 2026 | 00:35-00:43
“During The Great Recession of 2008, massive job loss. The Fed stepped in to maximize employment.”
Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment | Uploaded May 13, 2026 | 03:10-03:16
“The unemployment rate has increased to 4.3% due to Trump's reckless policies like firing government workers, attacking small businesses.”
Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment | Uploaded May 13, 2026 | 03:31-03:35
“The solution to the current unemployment problem is not to tell the Fed to abandon the goal of maximum employment.”
Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment | Uploaded May 13, 2026 | 04:13-04:17
“The solution is to empower the Fed to do even more.”
Rep. Pressley Slams GOP Bill Ignoring Unemployment Crisis, Strips Fed's Job to Maximize Employment | Uploaded May 13, 2026 | 04:18-04:20