Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, made the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced the national unemployment rate for the month of September was 9.8 percent:

"American families are hurting as our economy continues to shed jobs.  As unemployment continues to climb, we are reminded again that wasteful government spending is not the solution to what ails this economy.   A 9.8 percent unemployment rate is reflected in the hardships felt across America and in the absence of leadership here in Washington.  The American people know that true economic recovery starts with fiscal discipline in Washington, D.C., and tax relief for working families, small businesses and family farms."