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Paulsen Questions Fed Chair on Unemployment at JEC Hearing

Watch Paulsen’s questioning during this week’s Joint Economic Committee Hearing. 

Washington, D.C.– Today, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) questioned Chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen at a Joint Economic Committee Hearing entitled “The Economic Outlook.” This was the first time that Yellen had appeared before the bicameral, bipartisan committee as Fed Chair. In response to committee questions, Yellen acknowledged that the current unemployment rate is still too high and the economy could be performing better.

Paulsen’s questioning focused on whether or not the country faces a ‘new normal’ unemployment rate that is much higher than previous generations. He also asked about recent Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers that showed 800,000 people dropped out of the work force last month.

Paulsen commented,

“Today’s hearing served as yet another reminder that economic growth and the unemployment rate in this country are still not at acceptable levels. As a first step to putting our economy back on the right track, Congress should pass permanent tax policy—like the R&D tax credit legislation the House is taking up this week—that will give employers the certainty they need to invest and hire.

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit Paulsen.house.gov.

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