FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 6, 2006 |
CONTACT: Steve Forde Telephone: (202) 225-4527 |
Higher Wages, Lower Unemployment Underscore Workforce Accomplishments of 109th Congress, Says McKeon
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the latest U.S. Labor Department employment report showing the nation’s unemployment rate dropping to 4.6 percent, U.S. House Workforce Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) today highlighted the House Republican agenda to continue the nation’s economic momentum.
The Labor Department report also showed that average hourly wages have increased by four percent over the past 12 months. And with 51,000 jobs added in September and nearly 240,000 in the last two months combined, the total number of jobs added to the U.S. economy since August 2003 now tops 5.8 million.
“Gas prices are down, unemployment has dropped to historical lows, new jobs are added each month, and House Republicans still remain proactive when it comes to pursuing reforms on behalf of American workers and their families,” noted McKeon. “As the U.S. economy enters its fourth consecutive year of uninterrupted job growth, House Republicans have a proven record and a bold agenda to keep the momentum going. From retirement security and college access to affordable health care and better job training, the 109th Congress has been marked by legislation crafted to build on the steady growth of the U.S. economy.”
McKeon highlighted a handful of workforce reforms passed by the House during the 109th Congress. These reforms include:
Further information on Republican efforts on behalf of American workers is available online at http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/workforce/wia/wia.htm.
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