President Joe Biden touted the latest jobs report as evidence of a strong U.S. economy and manufacturing recovering, at a Volvo facility in Hagerstown, Maryland on Friday.
The president toured the assembly areas of the Volvo car plant that employs 1,700 people and spoke with workers about the resurgence of manufacturing and how the Reduce Inflation Act is lowering the cost of everyday items like utility bills. and drug prices for individuals.
“Let me start with two words. Made in America,” Biden said as he kicked off his speech. “Made in the USA. That is not hyperbole. I’m not kidding about that.”
The trip coincided with National Manufacturing Day, which Biden said commemorates “the workers who are the backbone of this country’s economy.”
The latest employment report showed that 263,000 jobs were created in September, which Biden welcomed as proof that companies are reinvesting nationally.
“We made a historic government investment in the United States, stimulating incredible private sector investment in the United States,” Biden said in his remarks. “Across America, we’re showing that ‘Made in America’ isn’t just a slogan, it’s a reality, to show that our best days are ahead of us, not behind us.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the jobs report reflects a transition to steady, steady growth and the 3.5% jobless rate reported on Friday is consistent with a healthy economy.
“Today’s unemployment rate coincides with its lowest level in 50 years,” said Jean-Pierre.
In an allusion to the midterm elections, Biden warned that if Republicans were to win control of Congress, they would enact policies that would jeopardize Social Security, Medicare and veterans’ benefits.
“It’s a choice between two very different ways of looking at the economy,” the president said.