Biden laments 'disappointing' jobs report

Vice President Joe Biden, filling in for President Obama, who is in Afghanistan, said Friday's unemployment report is "disappointing."

National unemployment figures for November moved the rate up to 9.8 percent as the economy added only 39,000 jobs for the month. Economists had expected as many as 150,000 jobs would be added.

Biden, appearing in the White House Roosevelt Room with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew and Biden's top economic adviser, Jared Bernstein, noted the economy is improving but said there is still more that needs to be done.

"No question the report is disappointing," Biden said.

The vice president used the occasion to push Congress to act to extend unemployment insurance events, saying it is the "right thing to do" and that it will help spur economic growth.

"It must be done before they leave town," Biden said.