(MYSTIC, CT) - Rob Simmons, candidate for U.S. Senate, made the following statement in reaction to the Department of Labor's December jobs report:

"This morning's job report indicating that our economy lost 84,000 jobs last month is yet another sign of the depths of the current recession, and how poorly Democrats in Washington have handled it. As the economy continues to shed jobs, they plan to add more deficits and debt to finance a reckless spending spree that has done little to create jobs, instead taxing small businesses, crowding out private investment and setting off fears of inflation. For real and sustaining private sector job growth, Congress must create incentives for small business investment and hiring, lower taxes and reduce the deficit."