在线英语听力室_免费在线英语听力学习网站

Unemployment in the United States rose sharply last month and government figures released late Friday show the number of new jobs was at its lowest level in four years. President Bush is considering more tax cuts in an effort to boost the nation's sagging¹ economy.

美国总统布什表示，他正在考虑通过进一步减税来刺激日益疲软的美国经济。他认为，美国经济仍然强壮。此前，美国劳工部报告说，上个月美国全国的失业率急剧攀升，新增就业机会下降到4年来的最低水平。

American unemployment rose to five percent last month, the highest rate since 2005. And new employment statistics released Friday show the U.S. economy added only 18,000 new jobs in December, far fewer than most economists² expected.

据劳工部的统计数据，美国全国的失业率在12月攀升到5%，这是2005年以来的最高水平。与此同时，新增就业机会只有1万8千个，远远低于经济学家的预期。

Following a meeting with his top financial advisers³, President Bush said that while the Friday jobs report shows some uncertainty⁴, the U.S. economy remains⁵ strong.

不过，布什总统在会见了他的高级经济顾问之后表示，尽管就业报告显示出了一些不确定性，但是美国经济仍很强壮。

"This economy of ours is on a solid foundation, but we can't take economic growth for granted, and there are signs that will cause us to be ever more diligent⁶ and make sure good policies come out of Washington," he said.

布什总统说：“我们的经济是建立在一个牢固的基础上的，但是我们不能因此而认为经济增长是理所当然的。有些迹象将使我们比以往更加勤勉，以便在华盛顿制定出良好的政策。”

The president says consumer spending is still strong and core inflation is low, but home values are declining and gasoline and food prices are rising.

布什总统指出，消费者支出仍很强壮，核心通胀率也很低，尽管房屋价值正在缩水，汽油和食品价格都在攀升。

Mr. Bush warned opposition⁷ Democrats⁸ in Congress against raising taxes, saying that is the worst thing lawmakers could do. But he did urge them to pass legislation that could help more Americans refinance their homes.

布什总统警告国会中的反对派民主党人不要试图加税。他认为，提高税率对于美国经济来说将是最坏的选择。不过，布什总统敦促国会议员通过一项立法，帮助更多的美国人为他们的住房重新贷款。

"When Congress comes back, I look forward to working with them to deal with the economic realities of the moment and to ensure the American people that we will do everything we can to make sure we remain a prosperous country," he added.

布什：“国会议员返回华府后，我期待着跟他们一起合作，共同解决目前的经济现实问题，让美国人民相信，我们将竭尽全力来确保美国持续繁荣。”

The ongoing⁹ financial crisis over adjustable-rate mortgages continues to affect the overall economy and not just home sales. There has been a cut in jobs in the building industry and the Labor¹⁰ Department report also shows a drop in factory jobs.

美国的次级房贷危机正继续影响着整个经济，而不仅仅是房屋市场。建筑行业已经开始裁员，劳工部的报告也表明，制造业提供的工作机会在下降。

President Bush is considering an economic stimulus¹¹ package that could include more tax cuts. In a Thursday interview with the Reuters news service, Mr. Bush said he and his economic team are considering all their options and he probably will not decide whether to act until his State of the Union address later this month.

布什总统考虑提出一项新的振兴经济的计划，其中包括进一步减税。布什总统在接受路透社采访时表示，他和他的经济团队正在考虑各种选择，但可能不会在本月晚些时候发表国情咨文之前，做出任何决定。

Democratic Senator Charles Schumer is urging the president to take action to avoid what the lawmaker says could be the economy tumbling into recession.

民主党参议员舒默敦促布什总统采取措施，避免美国经济陷入衰退。