Joliet, IL, Nov 3 -  

U.S. Representative Jerry Weller (R-Morris) today released the following statement in response to more figures released today showing the growing strength of the U.S. economy. The Labor Department reported the national unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent in October. Wages are up to an hourly average of $16.91.

“The tax cuts continue to feed a rapidly growing economy that is creating jobs and raising take-home pay – all the more reason to make them permanent. If they expire, taxes go up, and our economic growth will come to screeching halt.

“Four-point-four percent unemployment is below the national average of the past three decades. We are experiencing record growth and locally the tax cuts and the energy bill are encouraging billions of dollars of new investment in new ethanol and biodiesel plants, wind energy facilities, and new manufacturing jobs.

“The unemployment rate dropped for the third straight month, and is now at its lowest level in five years. Meanwhile, workers are getting almost 17 dollars and hour for their labor – that’s up four percent from this time last year.

“All this means the policies we in Congress have worked to pass are continuing to pay off – including tax cuts. When you allow people to keep more of their own money, you encourage investment, and that creates jobs.

“For example, the average family of four in Illinois making $50,000 saves $2,000 thanks to the tax cuts we’ve passed. That’s money these families can invest or pump into the local economy, boosting business and creating the need for new jobs.

“While there is always more work to do to continue this economic momentum, it is clear our efforts are paying off, based on the consistently strong economic indicators we’ve seen for an extended period now.”