Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today released the following statement on the nation’s August jobs report, which showed the unemployment rate at 8.1 percent, only 96,000 jobs created, and the lowest labor force participation rate since September 1981, as many people are giving up hope and dropping out of the jobs market:

“Today's jobs numbers were a disappointment.  Ohio’s families are struggling amidst the worst recovery since the Great Recession, hoping for a better tomorrow, but sadly the economic news this week does not indicate that things are picking up: job growth is anemic, unemployment hovers above 8 percent for the 43rd consecutive month, manufacturing continues to shrink, and the national debt has topped $16 trillion for the first time in history.

“This country is home to the finest workforce in the world, where people have been raised to believe that anything is possible if they work hard.  Yet in spite of the mettle and tireless spirit of the American people, our economy continues to flounder.

“It is time to restore America’s greatness, to unleash the innovation and entrepreneurship that have made us an example to other nations.  Washington needs new leadership that understands that throwing money at our problems is not the answer and that pro-growth, pro-jobs policies are the key to jump-starting our economy and creating jobs.”