House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for another economic stimulus package after a report from the Department of Labor showed unemployment rose to 5.1 percent and the U.S. economy lost 80,000 jobs in March, the third straight month of job losses this year.

"Today's disturbing unemployment numbers, combined with Chairman Bernanke's recession warning, and threats to our standard living because of the rising costs of gas, groceries and health care compels the president to work with Congress on a second stimulus package to get our economy back on track, create jobs, and speed assistance to families struggling to make ends meet," Pelosi said in a statement. "When congressional leaders meet with the President next week, I will urge him to refocus his attention on America's economy and to again work in a bipartisan manner on a new stimulus package."

The report found the number of Americans jobs has declined in each of the past 3 months by a total of 232,000 and the unemployment rate increased from 4.8 percent in February to 5.1 percent in March.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, Ohio Republican, said the report underscored the need for Congress to extend President Bush's tax cuts and provide relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax.

"Today's jobs report is a fresh reminder that during these times of economic uncertainty, the very last thing stressed-out middle class families and small businesses need is a massive tax hike," Boehner said in a statement. "While I am encouraged that American families will begin receiving tax rebate checks next month as part of the bipartisan economic growth package passed earlier this year, House Republicans will continue to fight for new tax relief for middle-class families, oppose wasteful Washington spending, and craft policies that encourage strong economic growth."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised Capitol Hill intervention to help ease the growing strain on U.S. families.

"Democrats will continue to take every opportunity to strengthen our economy in the short-term and address the long-term economic problems hurting America’s middle class," Reid said in a statement. "We hope that Republicans who have been slow to recognize the urgency of helping Americans being pushed out of the workforce will join us in this effort."

— Carrie Sheffield, Web editor, The Washington Times