Today, Congressman Mike Conaway (TX-11) issued the following statement in response to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics announcement that non-farm payroll employment increased by 97,000 in February and the unemployment rate has dropped to 4.5 percent.
“Today’s announcement is confirmation that the economy is strong and growing. Our current policies have led to 42 consecutive months of increased payroll employment, adding close to 7.6 million new jobs. Tax relief and fiscal restraint are driving down our deficit, and we must continue our commitment to American taxpayers by continuing our pro-growth policies. Our nation’s businesses and workers are doing their part to keep our economy growing and creating jobs, and I will continue my work in Congress to keep tax burdens low and restrain federal spending.”
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics also said job growth in the prior two months was stronger than previously reported, with 226,000 new jobs in December, and 146,000 in January. Average hourly earnings also grew in February, by 0.4 percent, to $17.16. Over the past 12 months, wages have increased by 4.1 percent.
Rep. Conaway is a CPA and a member of the House Budget Committee.
