Pathetic Job Growth Has Manufacturers Frustrated with Washington’s Inaction

Washington, D.C., August 3, 2012 – National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement on the July jobs report:

“It is no surprise that today's jobs report shows our economy is stuck in the mud. Last week we saw a lackluster 1.5 percent growth in GDP, and over 13 million Americans remain out of work. This is unacceptable. Manufacturers are anxious about where the economy is headed, and recent weaknesses in other surveys offer no encouragement.

Manufacturers have been quite clear that their most significant concern is the uncertainty swirling around Washington. What is surprising is that the Administration and some in Congress don’t seem to understand that Washington's political games play a role. An 8.3 percent national unemployment rate can’t--and won’t--improve if policymakers don’t live up to their responsibilities and act to confront the major fiscal issues facing our country.

Saddling businesses with tax increases and policies that cause uncertainty only hinders their ability to create jobs. Manufacturers plan years in advance so they can make investments in their operations, but right now they can’t because the fiscal abyss is looming. Manufacturers take action every day to ensure they can stay in business, and they are rightfully frustrated that Washington doesn’t get it and won’t take action.”

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.