Biden calls latest jobs report ‘strikingly good news’

U.S.+President+Joe+Biden+is+flanked+by+National+Economic+Council+Director+Brian+Deese+and+White+House+Council+of+Economic+Advisers+Chair+Cecilia+Rouse+as+he+speaks+about+the+economy+and+the+January+jobs+report+at+the+White+House+today.+%28Kevin+Lamarque%2FReuters%29

U.S. President Joe Biden is flanked by National Economic Council Director Brian Deese and White House Council of Economic Advisers Chair Cecilia Rouse as he speaks about the economy and the January jobs report at the White House today. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Maegan Vazquez, CNN

CNNPresident Joe Biden said Friday’s jobs report is “strikingly good news,” arguing that it’s yet another sign that his economic plan is working.

“Next week I’ll be reporting on the State of the Union. But today, I’m happy to report that the State of the Union and the state of our economy is strong,” Biden said in remarks Friday morning at the White House.

“We learned this morning that the economy’s created 517,000 jobs last month,” Biden continued. “In addition, we also learned that there were half a million more jobs created last year than we thought … add that all up, it means we’ve created more than … 12 million jobs since I took office. That means we have created more jobs in two years than any presidential term at any time, in two years.”

Biden called the latest jobs numbers a “positive sign for the health of the economy going forward,” highlighting declines in the cost of goods and gas.

Responding to critiques that his economic team could not increase jobs while also taming inflation, the president said, “Today’s data makes crystal clear what I’ve always known in my gut: these critics and cynics were wrong. While we may face setbacks along the way … our plan is working because of the grit and resolve of the American worker.”