Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its August jobs report. Today’s report showed an increase in the unemployment rate to 9.6%.

“For the millions of Americans who are struggling in this economy, today’s unemployment report is already old news,” said Congressman Price. “Despite promises of a ‘Recovery Summer’ and rhetorical attempts to paint over the failures of their policies, the Obama Administration and its Democrat allies in Congress need to face facts. There is no doubt that trillions of dollars in deficit spending as well as mounting government expansion and an intrusive politicization of our economy are destined to discourage job creation and will burden any efforts for robust economic growth. It is imperative that we move our nation in a different direction. It is irresponsible to continue down the same road of failed policies and empty promises.

“Republicans have fought diligently alongside the American people against an out-of-touch majority who’s singular focus is amassing more power. We have and will continue to offer a substantive set of positive solutions for everything from patient-centered health care reforms to a serious plan to rein in Washington’s chronic out-of-control spending. What we must not tolerate are tax hikes on American families and small businesses or greater deficit spending masquerading as ‘stimulus.’ That agenda has only sowed the seeds of uncertainty among America’s job creators. The unemployment rate is going in the wrong direction because Democrats in control of Congress have pushed our country in the wrong direction. It is time we try something new.”