TIM KAINE STATEMENT ON AUGUST JOB GROWTH

Richmond, VA - Tim Kaine released the following statement regarding today's announcement that the U.S. economy added 96,000 jobs in August:

“Our country has come a long way since the depths of the recession. Our economy was rapidly shrinking, now it is consistently growing. The stock market was in free-fall, but yesterday the DOW closed at its highest level since December 2007, the S&P 500 closed at its highest level since January 2008, and the NASDAQ closed at its highest level in twelve years. This morning, we learned that the U.S. economy added private sector jobs for the 30th straight month, following 25 consecutive months of jobs losses. Continued job growth is essential to our recovery, but we still have a long way to go.

“We know that hard work and tough decisions remain ahead of us. I remain unsatisfied with the pace of economic growth, but I reject partisan political calls to return to the very same policies of lax regulations, reckless spending, and tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations who don't need them which helped create this mess in the first place.  It is long past time for Washington to come together to accelerate job growth, ensure global competitiveness, and avoid the blunt instrument of sequestration. If I am chosen to represent Virginia in the United States Senate, I pledge to be a partner with the president and any colleagues who are interested in pursuing strategies to strengthen our economy that I have employed as a mayor, lieutenant governor, and governor.”

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