Press Release

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Hails December’s Job Growth

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today released the following statement on this morning’s December Employment Report, which showed that 167,000 jobs were created in December – the 40th straight month of job growth, and that the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.5 percent. In 2006, nearly two million new jobs were created.

"Today’s employment report is a great start to the New Year. With 167,000 jobs created in December, and revised numbers showing 29,000 more jobs were created in November and October than originally estimated, it’s quite clear that the President’s pro-growth policies continue to fuel a robust economy that includes economic growth, millions of new jobs and rising wages for American workers.

"President Bush is dedicated to ensuring that our nation’s growth and economic leadership continue. In order to keep the economy humming, we must maintain a pro-growth work environment that encourages innovation, supports higher education that will help tomorrow’s workforce compete and engages our trading partners through free enterprise.

"The Bush Administration looks forward to working with the new Congress to further strengthen the U.S. economy by keeping the President’s tax cuts permanent, and restraining spending through a balanced budget, earmark reform and providing the President with line item veto authority. Achieving these goals means an increase in better paying jobs for hardworking Americans."