IN THE NEWS

PRESIDENT’S JOB GROWTH PROMISES MISS THE MARK IN THE HAWKEYE STATE

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement regarding President Bush’s comments in Iowa today on the economy and taxes:

“The President spoke to Iowans today about his economic policies, but I don’t doubt that common-sense Midwesterners saw right through his rhetoric.  This Administration seems to value talk over action in solving far too many problems – from jobs, to the economy, to the rising deficit, to the situation in Iraq.  And as for the tax cuts he touted, the fact is the majority of Iowans – 76 percent - received less than $100 from the 2003 tax cut.

“The President said his tax policies would create millions of jobs but instead they have created record deficits and have put Social Security and Medicare at risk, and the President will still end his Administration with negative job creation.  He will be the first President to do that since the Great Depression.

“When President Bush took office, Iowa had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, 2.9 percent.  Iowa has lost 32,000 jobs since January 2001 – 29,400 of those were manufacturing jobs.  Last month alone Iowa lost approximately 1,200 jobs.  That’s bad news for out-of-work Iowans and for families struggling to pay rent, buy groceries, pay health care bills, and plant crops. 

“Working families in Iowa and across the nation are anxious about meeting their financial obligations and worried about themselves or a family member losing a job.   They want a real plan – not just empty assurances. 

 “Democrats want to implement a pro-active job creation program that will allow every citizen who wants to work that opportunity.”

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