Hastert Comments on America's Economic Endurance; Says New GDP Numbers Illustrate 'That America's Economic Engine Continues to Churn'

House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) today released the following statement regarding the latest GDP numbers:

"Today's GDP numbers illustrate that America's economic engine continues to churn because of Republicans' pro-growth policies. We endured devastating hurricanes in recent months, and our already strong economy was able to cope so that the economic destruction was not greater. This latest report proves that Republican policies of tax relief and fiscal responsibility are just the prescription the American economy needs. The House will continue to act to improve our economy. We're working hard to impose fiscal responsibility in government spending, and just yesterday, we passed the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005, which cracks down on attorneys who file frivolous lawsuits that hurt job-creating small businesses. The Democratic strategy is clear. They want to raise taxes and impose runaway spending, a plan that will only stymie growth and kill off jobs."

NOTE: The Commerce Department reported Friday that the economy grew 3.8 percent in the third quarter, higher than analysts expected. The GDP is widely considered a benchmark measure of the strength of the economy. The third quarter rate was an improvement over the 3.3 growth reported in the second quarter.