WASHINGTON--U. S. Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following statement on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) advanced estimate of first quarter 2018 GDP: 

"Americans are better off today than they were 16 months ago: Business investment is strong, wages are growing, and disposable income is climbing thanks to tax reform and pro-growth policies. First quarter GDP growth exceeded expectations and beat growth in the first quarter of last year. First quarter growth has been soft for a number of years for reasons not fully understood, but at a rate of 2.3 percent, this year’s first quarter again is well ahead of last year’s and far ahead of the first quarter of 2016, the final year of the Obama Administration. We will continue to see great results as the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and smarter regulation help the economy grow."