U.S. Reps. Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Pat Tiberi (R-OH) called for pro-growth policies on Friday following the release of a jobs report that found that the unemployment rate had risen to 5 percent.
The nation’s unemployment rose slightly to 5 percent, totaling 7.9 million jobless workers, despite 156,000 jobs being added in September, according to the September jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Brady, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said that some in Washington believe that the “underwhelming report” is as good as it gets.
“House Republicans understand that our economy would be so much stronger if we took action on pro-growth policies,” Brady said. “Too many Americans are still struggling to find full-time work, grow their paychecks and support their families. And a record number of Americans have been so discouraged by waning job prospects that they have given up looking for work altogether. This is the slow-growth status quo that has come to define the Obama administration’s weak economic leadership.”
Brady highlighted the House Republicans’ “A Better Way” policy agenda that aims to create more jobs, spur investment and increase take-home pay for workers.
“Instead of settling for mediocre jobs reports, Washington should take action on our Better Way agenda that will unlock our economy’s full potential and improve the lives of all Americans,” Brady added.
Tiberi, the vice chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, said that the “lackluster report” shows that President Barack Obama’s policies of more taxes, more regulation and more spending aren’t working.
“Ohio employers tell me that the inundation of new regulations by the Obama administration, like new overtime rules, limits their ability to compete,” Tiberi said. “They are drowning in new paperwork and are weighed down by compliance costs as the Obama administration enacts new rules at breakneck speed. American employers should have the support they need to succeed and create jobs to grow our economy, not be limited by intrusive, unnecessary regulations. There is a better way and House Republicans will continue to work to untie the hands of employers to move our economy forward.”