McKeon Highlights Another Month of Jobs Gains, Points to House Republican Victories

on Behalf of U.S. Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Citing several House Republican victories on behalf of American workers, U.S. House Workforce Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) today highlighted the latest U.S. Labor Department employment report, which shows 113,000 new jobs created in the month of July.  With these gains, more than five and a half million jobs have been added since August 2003.  The nation’s unemployment rate remained low, at 4.8 percent.

            “Our job market continues to gain steam, and more employment opportunities are presenting themselves to American workers each and every day,” McKeon said.  “Let’s be clear: this favorable job market is no accident.  In recent years, Republicans in Congress have pursued ambitious reforms that have served as the foundation for the job growth we’re seeing today.  From education to job training to retirement security, our congressional agenda aims to prepare workers for a rapidly-changing global economy, provide them the skills they need to compete against their overseas counterparts, and ensure their hard-earned retirement benefits are there for them once they retire.”

Just yesterday, the U.S. Senate approved a package of reforms to significantly strengthen worker pension laws and provide greater peace of mind for U.S. workers and retirees.  The Pension Protection Act, which cleared the House a week ago, now heads to President Bush for his signature and represents the latest congressional Republican victory on behalf of American workers.  McKeon served as vice-chairman of the House-Senate pension reform conference, which forged an agreement reflected in the measure on its way to the President’s desk.

In addition to the pension reform package, Education & the Workforce Committee-led measures to expand college access, reform the student loan program, and bolster career and technical education programs have been sent to the White House in 2006.  Other Committee-authored bills to enhance American competitiveness, expand access to affordable health care, and improve federal job training programs also have cleared the House, but await Senate action.

“We cannot take these continually strong jobs gains for granted,” concluded McKeon.  “There is still a great deal of work left ahead of us.  But make no mistake, Republicans in Congress always have and always will consistently champion bold policies to help shape a favorable environment in which our nation’s workforce will thrive.”