Washington D.C. – House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) released the following statement regarding this morning’s employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

“This morning’s dismal jobs report arrives on the heels of a historic milestone achieved earlier this week by President Obama and Washington Democrats – the national debt has now surpassed $16 trillion. From the President’s failed stimulus to the more than $1 trillion government takeover of our healthcare system, the President’s economic policies have failed miserably. Worse, these very same policies have put our nation $5.4 trillion deeper into debt in just under four years. This week marks the 43^rd consecutive month of unemployment above 8 percent, and the President and Democrats all across the country believe the best path forward is to continue down the same unsustainable course we’re already on. It’s well past time for this Administration to scrap their failed policies and join with House Republicans to put America on a better path forward and get Americans back to work.”

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Washington, D.C. – House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA) responded to today’s August 2012 jobs report, saying:

“The unemployment rate isn’t simply a number. It is heartbreaking news for the millions of mothers and fathers who want so desperately to provide for their families, but cannot find work in our stalled economy. It is devastating to recent college graduates who crave financial independence, but, due to the lack of a job, must instead move back in with their parents. It is a cause to worry for those Americans on the cusp of retirement, making less today than they were just a few years ago and trying to plan for their golden years.

“House Republicans understand the severity of our nation’s circumstances and have made every effort to right its course. We have passed more than 30 bills that would help grow our economy and spur job creation, but nearly all of these await action in the Democrat-controlled Senate. We have voted to extend the current tax rates and to move forward with a reform of the tax code in 2013. We have supported expanding America’s access to affordable energy.

“Our Democrat friends, in spite of our nation’s debt topping $16 trillion, insist that the only way to rebuild our economy is to continue the failed tax-and-spend policies of the Obama Administration. Americans know better. We know that the key to jumpstarting America’s economic engine means empowering job creators and workers, not government. Only then can we return to prosperity.”