8.2% unemployment = Obama fail

Bad economic news this morning as the Wall Street Journal reports, "U.S. job growth barely picked up in June, the latest sign that economic growth has slowed. Nonfarm payrolls grew by 80,000 last month, the Labor Department said Friday. The politically important unemployment rate, obtained by a separate survey of U.S. households, was unchanged at 8.2%."

Congressman Eric Cantor (VA-07) released the following statement on the national unemployment report for June:

“Today’s jobs report is more than disappointing with just 80,000 jobs created in the month of June. This crawling pace is not enough to get the millions of Americans who are unemployed back to work or provide long-term growth. We've seen month after month of dismal jobs numbers, college graduates unable to find employment and small business hiring stalled. The President has had three years to get the economy going again, but he has not. His policies have not worked, and we can't afford to keep going down the same path.

“How we get the economy back on sound footing to maintain the American promise of opportunity and success that this country has always offered is one of the biggest challenges we face. Heading into November, there is a clear choice about the direction this country will take and two very different visions for the way forward. Will we stay the course and choose more of the same big-government spending and tax hikes to pay for policies like ObamaCare and so-called stimulus, or will we turn to real pro-growth solutions that will empower small businessmen and women to succeed, grow and hire? I am committed to bold, pro-growth policies and the House has passed dozens of bills to create jobs. We've begun to right the ship, but we will not be able to achieve long-term growth without willing partners in the White House and Senate.

“In the coming weeks, the House will vote to stop the tax hike on working families and remove the red tape burdening small businesses to reduce uncertainty and make America more competitive.”

U.S. Senate candidate George Allen today released the following statement in response to the Department of Labor's report that only 80,000 jobs were added to our economy in June, leaving the unemployment rate at 8.2 percent:

"Americans are losing ground in their opportunity to get a job to provide for themselves and their family. Only 80,000 new jobs last month is inadequate for the growth of graduating students looking for work. Yet another disappointing jobs report underscores the painful reality of millions of unemployed and underemployed Americans who know firsthand that Washington's policies are failing.

"My opponent and his allies in Washington promised the Stimulus would 'jumpstart the economy,' but instead it handed Americans $800 billion in more debt and over 3 years of unemployment over 8 percent. Tim Kaine said the new health care law was 'an important step towards getting our economy back on track,' yet Virginia's small business owners tell me it's driving up costs and impeding their ability to hire more workers.

"It's clear to everyone but those in Washington that we need proven, pro-job growth solutions that put our trust in people, not government. As Senator, my top priorities would include tax relief for job-creating businesses, repealing the burdensome health care tax law, and allowing Virginia to develop our offshore energy resources with the royalties used for roads and transportation. We need leadership in Washington that will give job-creators the freedom and certainty they need to invest, grow and hire more workers."

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement on the June unemployment report:

"Once again, the monthly jobs report brings devastating news for the millions of Americans looking for work. The Obama economy is defined by chronically high unemployment. Our country is coming out of the worst quarter of job creation in two years. ObamaCare and President Obama's other policies simply are not working and disappointed Americans are ready for a new direction," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.

"After taking office, President Obama promised he would fix the economy in three years or face a 'one-term proposition.' While the president believes 'the private sector is doing fine,' the rest of the country knows we are not 'doing fine' at all. We cannot afford another term of this president because we cannot endure four more years of painfully high joblessness.

"Gov. Mitt Romney is uniquely qualified to provide the leadership our economy needs. With his successful record in business, at the Olympics, and in Massachusetts, he has a proven track record. It's time to accept President Obama's offer of a 'one-term proposition,' send Mitt Romney to the White House, and finally get America working again."

Mitt Romney has a news conference scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday.