WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statement in response to the Department of Labor’s August 2016 jobs report:

“Today’s modest pace of job creation, coupled with declining productivity last quarter, means that growth in our economy and our paychecks will continue to lag as Americans get weighed down by the rising costs of health care, housing, and college.

“Meanwhile, instead of promoting policies that grow our economy and solve real challenges, the Administration has devoted over seven years and trillions of taxpayer dollars towards propping up a failing domestic agenda. And Americans continue to pay the price—whether in the form of stagnant wages, higher health insurance premiums, or new taxes.

“House Republicans are proposing a better way. We’re working to advance pro-growth tax reform that creates jobs and encourages investment; affordable health care that empowers patients with quality choices; and welfare reform that promotes work and truly helps low-income Americans escape poverty for the long term. These are the solutions the American people deserve and these are the solutions we will deliver.” 

Note: The Department of Labor reported today the economy added 151,000 jobs in July and the unemployment rate remained 4.9 percent.