Cantwell Statement on Stagnant June Jobs & Wages Report
07.02.26 Cantwell Statement on Stagnant June Jobs & Wages Report EDMONDS, WA – Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released new data showing American wages are not keeping up with inflation. Average hourly earnings growth for workers was 3.5% over June of last year, falling short of annual inflation, which is approximately 4%. The new BLS data also showed nonfarm payroll employment holding relatively steady between May and June 2026, and that the unemployment rate ticked down slightly -- from 4.3% to 4.2%. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement: “Today’s employment data does not suggest a booming economy. In fact, it shows we are just hanging on. The growth in jobs is tepid and any growth in wages still falls short of inflation. While President Trump and his family are making billions, average American workers are continuing to struggle.” Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article
4eb9e2f0-dcf0-43f0-aec7-70171dd260e6Edit history (1 prior version)
This release was edited after publication. Earlier captures are preserved below.
- Captured Jul 4, 2026, 9:40 PM EDT
Show prior body text
07.02.26 Cantwell Statement on Stagnant June Jobs & Wages Report EDMONDS, WA – Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released new data showing American wages are not keeping up with inflation. Average hourly earnings growth for workers was 3.5% over June of last year, falling short of annual inflation, which is approximately 4%. The new BLS data also showed nonfarm payroll employment holding relatively steady between May and June 2026, and that the unemployment rate ticked down slightly -- from 4.3% to 4.2%. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement: “Today’s employment data does not suggest a booming economy. In fact, it shows we are just hanging on. The growth in jobs is tepid and any growth in wages still falls short of inflation. While President Trump and his family are making billions, average American workers are continuing to struggle.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article
Issued within 24 hours
Other senators' releases published in the day before or after this one.
