U. S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the employment report for September 2017 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

 

“The entire nation stands behind the communities hit by the Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria as they recover. In addition to wreaking havoc in the affected regions, the hurricanes have caused temporary job losses that I hope will soon be reversed.

 

“There is some positive news nationally in the lower unemployment rate, increased labor force participation, and rise in wages. But to truly support families we need tax reform.

 

“Lowering rates and simplifying our tax code will allow workers to keep more of their hard-earned money. As we heard in our Joint Economic Committee hearing this week, reform will also help give entrepreneurs the confidence they need to take risks and start businesses, creating more opportunities for workers. As the number one net new job creator, small business owners are the true driving force behind a growing economy.

 

“By passing our budget, the House has taken the first step toward overhauling our tax code and put us on the path toward a brighter, more prosperous future. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the coming weeks to lower rates and simplify the code, making increased job opportunities and higher paychecks a reality for American families.”   

 

Note: Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the U.S. economy lost 33,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in September and the unemployment rate is 4.2 percent. The labor force participation rate is 63.1 percent. In September, average hourly earnings rose 12 cents to $26.55.