Washington, D.C. – The top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statement in response to the Labor Department’s August 2019 jobs report:

“This is an economy where the American worker is in charge.  Paychecks continue to grow and more and more people, who for too long have been stuck on the sidelines, are joining our unstoppable workforce – labor force participation rose and African American unemployment hit its lowest level ever.  Congress needs to keep this economic expansion moving forward by passing USMCA without delay.  Our manufacturers and Main Street businesses only stand to win with this new trade agreement, and each day of delay hurts our economy.”

Note: The U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the economy added 130,000 jobs in August.  The unemployment rate remained historically low at 3.7 percent.  Average hourly earnings increased 3.2 percent over the year.