(Washington, DC) – Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the August unemployment report earlier today:

“Gas prices are on the rise, food prices are not getting any cheaper, healthcare costs continue to increase, and the national unemployment rate remains very high. For the 43^rd consecutive month, the national unemployment rate has topped eight percent. This Administration’s misguided policies fail to create job opportunities for hard-working American families. Instead, short-term fixes, like the so-called ‘stimulus plan,’ failed miserably while coming at a very expensive cost to the American taxpayer. More government interference with increased regulations have prevented job creators from hiring workers while contributing to our national debt surpassing $16 trillion earlier this week.

“The only way ‘forward’ with this Administration leads straight to the unemployment line. Washington must make tough decisions. Senate Democrats must avoid allowing politics to dictate policy. House Republicans have passed numerous measures to not only encourage job growth and creation but to produce domestic energy and cut spending in order to stimulate the economy. Unfortunately, these bills continue to languish in the Senate, untouched.

“Americans have a choice this November to replace these failed policies with a new wave of conservative ideas focused on empowering job creators and putting American families back to work.” 

###