“Two years after the Obama administration declared, ‘welcome to the recovery,’ this much is clear: with 42 consecutive months of unemployment above eight percent, the private sector still isn’t ‘doing fine’ and President Obama’s economic plan did not work. While the president is telling small businesses ‘you didn’t build that,’ his policies are making sure they can’t.
“Any new job creation is welcome news -- but with unemployment still above eight percent and rising, and millions of Americans looking for work, it is insane to raise taxes on small businesses, as the president and his allies in the Democratic-controlled Senate propose. Ernst & Young says their tax hike will destroy more than 700,000 jobs. And yet, top Democrats say they’re willing to let taxes rise on middle class families, tank our economy, and impose devastating cuts to our national security if they don’t get their way. It’s reckless, it’s wrong, and House Republicans aren’t standing for it.
“A group of 88 American economists warned that we need to stop all of the tax hikes scheduled for January 1 to prevent more damage to our economy. A bipartisan majority in the House voted to do so, and to make sure no middle class family or small business sees a tax increase. We also voted in May to replace the ‘sequester’ defense cuts insisted on by the president. The House is ready to act at a moment’s notice this August on these, and the more than 30 jobs bills we’ve passed, if Senate Democrats get serious about addressing the threats to our economy and our national security.”
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus:
"Last week President Obama said, 'We tried our plan, and it worked.' With the unemployment rate going up again, it's obvious that plan didn't work at all," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.
"Instead of supporting American innovation and job creation, he has squandered taxpayer money on failed companies like Solyndra, which led to job losses. It's no wonder we can't end this economic nightmare. The president continues to take us in the wrong direction.
"In a time of widespread economic hardship, the president's schedule has not included a 'Daily Economic Briefing' since April of 2011. He has not convened his Jobs Council in over six months, yet he has found time for over 120 political fundraisers and 11 rounds of golf since their last meeting.
"President Obama's only plans for a second term are higher taxes and more spending--exactly the opposite of what we need. On Day One of his presidency, Mitt Romney will get to work implementing his comprehensive jobs plan to turn around the economy."
ORP Chairman Bob Bennett:
"Forty-two straight months of bad unemployment numbers underscores that the private sector is not doing fine. Now is the time for President Obama to stop strong-arming Congress into raising taxes on small businesses, which Ernst & Young says threatens to destroy more than 700,000 jobs.
"With so many job creators and middle-class families struggling in the Obama economy, Americans deserve a president who will put job creation first. That's why we need Mitt Romney's vision for prosperity in the White House."
Congressman Bob Gibbs:
“The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the unemployment rate has risen once again, reaching 8.3 percent during the month of July. The unemployment rate in this country has hovered above eight percent for 42 straight months now, and that is unacceptable. President Obama’s misguided policies have continued to lead us further into the worst unemployment crisis since the Great Depression, and the American people have endured this long enough.
“Instead of facing the reality that millions of Americans are out of a job and our economy is suffering, Democrats are pushing a destructive agenda that includes a massive tax hike at the end of this year that would result in an increase in taxes on small businesses of $232 billion in 2013. Obama’s tax hike would cost the economy 710,000 jobs. Americans are desperate for new direction.
“I voted last week for the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act, which would decrease the Obama Administration’s ability to place harmful regulations on America’s small businesses. By combating the red tape that restrains our economy, House Republicans are working hard to get America back to work.
“The Obama Administration’s job-killing policies have plagued this country for far too long, and July’s unemployment report is a direct result of his failed principles. Republicans need to take the reins this November and ensure that these harmful regulations come to an end.”
