Chairman Smith on August Jobs Report: American Workers Are Winning as Private Sector and Manufacturing Surge, Shattering Expectations Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its August 2026 jobs report, showing 162,000 new jobs created - three times what the so-called experts predicted - delivering another powerful sign that the economy is moving in the right direction:

"The American economy is getting stronger as businesses are hiring and workers are winning. Creating more American jobs was no accident: Republican economic policies are delivering for working families, small businesses, and American manufacturers - and the results are getting harder to ignore. They are making life more affordable for waitresses, welders, seniors, factory workers, and moms and dads throughout the country, including back home in southeast Missouri, who were the inspiration and priority behind the Working Families Tax Cuts. Businesses are choosing America again. Instead of sending investment overseas, businesses have greater certainty to build, invest, and hire right here at home because of permanent tax policies that reward growth and hiring, including permanent expensing, which means every dollar they invest here goes further. And the results speak for themselves: private-sector employers added 127,000 jobs in August, defying expectations, and unemployment remained near historic lows at 4.1 percent. Manufacturers reported employment conditions at their strongest in three years. These results show that job creators have the confidence to keep investing, producing, growing, and hiring in America thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts - historic tax relief that every single Democrat in Congress voted against. In fact, every Democrat voted to raise taxes on the working-class families that are now benefiting from having more money in their pockets. Everyday Americans are also keeping more of every paycheck they earn thanks to policies like No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, a bigger standard deduction, and a larger Child Tax Credit. Republicans in Congress will continue to focus on solutions that deliver affordability and good jobs for American workers and families. This is another clear sign that the American economy continues to get stronger under President Trump's leadership, and it is past time that the Federal Reserve lower interest rates so more small businesses and workers can thrive."

Key Facts:

• Private Sector Adds Jobs: Private employers added 127,000 jobs in August.
• Unemployment Remains Near Historic Lows: The jobless rate was 4.1 percent in August.
• Manufacturing Hits Three-Year High: S&P Global's flash survey found manufacturers reporting employment conditions at their strongest level in three years, with output expanding at its fastest pace in more than four years.
• Working Families Tax Cuts Fuel a Manufacturing Boom: The National Association of Manufacturers estimates the law's permanent expensing and pass-through provisions will create more than 1 million manufacturing jobs, add $284 billion in manufacturing GDP, and raise manufacturing wages by $126 billion.

READ: Smith on July Jobs Report: Private Sector Keeps Adding Jobs Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts

READ: Big, Beautiful Success Story: Republican Policies Push Manufacturing to Four-Year Highs