Workforce Committee Leaders:

Low Unemployment Rate, Continued Job Growth

Are Evidence of GOP Policies at Work

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the latest U.S. Labor Department employment report showing the nation’s unemployment rate at 4.6 percent - the lowest since July 2001 - U.S. House Workforce Committee leaders today highlighted the report as renewed proof that the congressional Republican agenda is benefiting more American families than ever.  The 4.6 percent unemployment rate is lower than the average of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.  The Labor Department also announced that 75,000 new jobs were created in May, with about 5.2 million jobs added since August 2003.

            “The naysayers continue to be proven wrong,” said Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), Chairman of the House Education & the Workforce Committee.  “Our economy is growing, unemployment is historically low, productivity is increasing, and hourly pay is on the rise.  The U.S. economy is running strong, and its continued resiliency is a tribute to the work of the American people and the common sense policies championed by Republicans in Congress.”

McKeon and 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee Chairman Ric Keller (R-FL) pointed to additional Committee legislation passed by the House in the 109th Congress to capitalize on the strong economy by expanding job opportunities for working Americans and enhancing U.S. competitiveness in a rapidly-changing global marketplace. 

Last year, the House passed the Job Training Improvement Act (H.R. 27) to streamline government bureaucracy in job training services and improve opportunities for Americans looking for work or seeking new skills to acquire better-paying jobs.  And earlier this year, the House backed the College Access & Opportunity Act (H.R. 609), legislation to increase college access and enhance U.S. competitiveness by improving math, science, and critical foreign language education and incorporating components of the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative.  The Senate has acted on neither bill.

“Our economy’s strength continues to speak for itself,” noted Keller.  “I’m hopeful the Senate will follow the House’s lead and pass legislation to improve job training services and strengthen U.S. competitiveness abroad so our economy will continue to gain steam in the years to come.” 

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