As Unemployment Soars, Reid Brags About Stimulus Making A “Real Difference”

(National Republican Senatorial Committee) – At a White House meeting today to discuss “job creation efforts,” Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) took time to praise the so-called “stimulus” package for “making a real difference.”

This remarkable statement comes nearly eight months after Reid railroaded the nearly trillion dollar “stimulus” package through the Senate, promising it “would create three and a half million jobs across the country, including 34,000 in Nevada.”

Since then, however, unemployment rates in Nevada and across the country have continued to rise, recently reaching a 30-year high in the Silver State over the summer, while soaring to a 26-year high point nationwide last week.

“Unfortunately for his constituents who are battling record unemployment rates, Harry Reid’s promises of a timely and targeted stimulus that would create jobs this year are ringing incredibly hollow,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Brian Walsh said today. “In fact, since the passage of the bloated bill, the only immediate effect we’ve seen is a record amount of government spending and a massive spike in our national deficit. Instead of issuing self-congratulatory press releases about meetings in Washington, Reid should use his position as Majority Leader to work with his Republicans colleagues on finding common-sense solutions to his state’s economic woes.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In February 2009, Nevada’s Unemployment Rate Was 10%. (U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 8/20/09)

In July 2009, Nevada’s Unemployment Rate Was 12.5%, Up From 11.9% In June. (U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 8/21/09)

July’s Rate Is Nevada’s Highest Unemployment Rate In More Than Thirty Years. (U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 8/21/09)

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Said The “Stimulus” Bill Would Create Three And A Half Million Jobs Across The Country, Including 34,000 In Nevada. “For Nevada, the bill we passed has three main components: It will protect and create three and a half million jobs across our country, including 34,000 right here in Nevada, with 90% of these jobs created in the private sector.” (Senator Reid, “Reid Addresses Joint Session Of Nevada Legislature,” Press Release, 2/18/09)