Rep. Scott DesJarlais, M.D. (Tn.-04) released the following statement on the December Jobs Report showing that unemployment rose to 7.8 percent and the economy added 155,000 jobs:
“America continues to experience an anemic economic recovery that is hampering job creation here in Tennessee. Businesses in my district know that today’s deficit spending will have to be paid with tomorrow’s taxes. That is why I voted against the fiscal cliff bill that raised taxes on job creators while doing nothing to curtail wasteful government spending.
“I pray that as we move forward in the 113th Congress that Washington will finally get serious about addressing the deficit spending that is bankrupting our nation. But in order to do that, the Senate must pass a budget, something they have not done in nearly four years.
“We have seen that growing government and increasing spending is not the answer to a brighter economic future. Rather, the path to prosperity will be paved by empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs by eliminating bureaucratic red tape and controlling job-killing spending.
“House Republicans have continued put forth common sense solutions that will strengthen our economy and avoid mortgaging the futures of our children and grandchildren. I hope that the president and Senate Democrats will finally acknowledge the seriousness of our fiscal and economic outlook and work with us to implement real solutions to safeguard the future of this great nation.”
Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.-14) issued the following statement:
“The private sector cannot grow and create more jobs if politicians in Washington only enact laws that make the government bigger. Our families and businesses need relief from the one-two punch of higher taxes and the debt crisis. In the important debates ahead, enacting pro-growth reforms and permanently restraining the size of government must be the top priority. The stagnant job market and fragile economy will not change until Washington does.”