FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6^th, 2012

Paulsen Statement on December Jobs Report

Eden Prairie, MN – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03), member of the House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement in reaction to the December jobs report put out by the U.S. Department of Labor. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 200,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate for December was 8.5%, marking the 35^th straight month unemployment has been above 8%.

“This morning’s report is welcome news for our economy, but the fact is the unemployment rate remains unacceptably high, and American job creators remain on the sidelines because of inconsistent and imprudent policies imposed on them by Washington,” said Rep. Paulsen. “The uncertainty resulting from these short-term policies, especially on important issues like taxes and new regulations, is hurting our economy as workers and job creators are left wondering what their costs will be throughout the year ahead. Creating certainty for our nation’s job creators and entrepreneurs is critical to spurring investment and new job creation. I will continue to work across the aisle on pro-growth policies which will strengthen our economy and get our neighbors back to work."

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional U.S.- Korea Free Trade Working Group and co-chair of the House Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress, please visit www.paulsen.house.gov.

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