U.S. Private Sector Adds 202,000 Jobs in June

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest monthly employment situation report on Friday. Among the reports highlights:

• The U.S. economy added 202,000 private-sector jobs in June.
• June was the 40th consecutive month of private-sector job growth.
• Over the last 40 months the U.S. economy has added 7.2 million private-sector jobs.
• The BLS revised their estimates of April job growth by +50,000 and May job growth by +20,000.
• Through the first six months of the year the U.S. economy is on pace to add the most private-sector jobs since 1999

This report confirms once again that the U.S. economy is growing and strengthening. However, it also shows that with some assistance from Congress the economy would be even stronger today. Economic theory and evidence from past recessions shows that increases in government employment during periods of high unemployment can boost the economy and overall job growth. It worked during the Reagan Administration. It worked during both Bush Administrations. It worked during the Clinton Administration...and it even worked during the Obama Administration. But Congress remains intent on shrinking government--a policy which slows the pace of job growth in the economy.