Press Releases

The U.S. Department of Labor reported this morning that the economy lost 247,000 jobs in July.

Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) of the House Small Business Committee responded to the news by saying:

“Six months ago, the Administration and Speaker Pelosi forced through a stimulus bill that they promised would keep unemployment under 8.5 percent and would stabilize the economy. However, for many Americans and small businesses this has not proven to be the case.  Instead, since the stimulus was passed the country’s debt has risen and more than two million Americans have lost their jobs. Americans continue to ask Washington, “Where are the jobs?”

Today’s unemployment report is yet another reminder that small businesses are still hurting. After ramming through a cap and tax plan that will impose an even greater burden on small businesses and families, Speaker Pelosi now wants to pass a national employer health care mandate funded by massive tax increases on small businesses. All over the country, manufacturers, farmers, and small businesses would be forced to cut jobs.

Small business owners already face tough choices in order to make ends meet. In a recession, it is our responsibility in Congress to enact common sense tax policies that will allow small businesses to grow and create new jobs. Small businesses provide approximately half of our nation’s GDP and create 7 out of 10 new jobs in the U.S.  Small firms truly are the foundation of the nation’s economy, and now more than ever the economy depends on their success.”