Press Release

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Praises March Job Growth

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued the following statement on the March Employment Report that showed that 180,000 jobs were created in March and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent.

“President Bush’s pro-growth formula continues to produce positive results—strong job creation, solid GDP growth, rising real wages and expanding exports.

“The economy has created nearly 8 million jobs in the past 43 months—that’s more than Japan and the EU combined. With the upward revisions to January and February’s jobs reports, we’ve created 455,000 new jobs in the first quarter of 2007. Under President Bush’s leadership, we are moving forward with our agenda to lower taxes, make healthcare more affordable and pass comprehensive immigration reform.

“To keep our economy growing, we must continue to open new markets for American goods and services. We look forward to working with Congress to pass free trade agreements and extend trade promotion authority, so that we can continue our record-setting pace for exports. Opening new markets and increasing exports create opportunity and prosperity for American workers and farmers.”