As the Labor Department reported on Friday that the unemployment ticked up to 8.2 percent in May, picking up just 69,000 jobs, House Speaker John Boehner and other top Republicans attacked the Obama administration over what he called a "disappointing" jobs report.
"It's pretty clear the American people are still asking the question where are the jobs?" Boehner said. "Another month of disappointing job gains. It's pretty clear that the American people are hurting."
Boehner also called on the Senate to work with the House to pass legislation that will grow the economy.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor also blamed the administration for what he called “pathetic” jobs numbers.
“It’s time for us to own up here, the policies that have been coming out of this administration have not worked,” Cantor said on CNBC’s Squawk Box, saying that the lower-than-expected numbers are a sign the administration needs to change course to offer incentives to businesses.
"I believe the stimulus you need is a signal to the private sector that it’s actually a good time to take a risk and invest right now,” Cantor said.
Texas Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling, co-chair of the failed super committee, called the new report “disappointing,” blaming the president’s “failed” economic policies.
“You can’t borrow and bailout our way to economic prosperity,” Hensarling said on CNN's Starting Point, criticizing Obama’s regulations on small businesses, planned tax hikes, and “serial trillion dollar deficits.”
“This whole politics of division and envy where the president fundamentally attacks the free enterprise system – it’s no wonder that businesses aren't going up and investing capital and creating new jobs,” he added.
Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.
Leave A Comment