More than 5.2 million jobs
created since 2003 Aug
US Economy Sustains
Growth Upswing

The United States has maintained a sustained growth in its economy, in the first quarter of the calendar year 2006, in line with its steady performance in the previous year.
The US economic growth has a direct link with employment generation. Since August 2003, more than 5.2 million jobs hav been created in the US. According to the figures released recently, two million of these jobs have been created in the last 12 months.
The unemployment rate is 4.7 percent - lower than the average of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
• The GDP grew at a strong 4.8 percent annual rate in the first quarter of 2006.This follows the economic growth of 3.5 percent in 2005 - the fastest rate of any major industrialized nation.
• Productivity increased at a strong annual rate of 3.2 percent In the first quarter.
• Hourly compensation rose at a 5.7 percent rate in the first quarter - more than twice as much as in the previous quarter.
• The Conference Board Index Of Consumer Confidence increased in April to its highest level in almost four years.
• Industrial production posted a solid gain in March. Industrial production increased 0.6 percent in March and rose 4.5 percent at an annual rate in the first quarter.
• Consumer spending rose 0.6 percent and personal income rose 0.5 percent in March.
• Over the past 12 months, employment increased in 48 states. In March, four states set record low unemployment rates.
The President's tax relief has also helped spur America's economic momentum
The President Worked with Congress To reduce Income Tax for every American who pays it. The US Administration and Congress doubled the child tax credit, reduced the marriage penalty, cut taxes on capital gains and dividends, created incentives for small businesses to purchase new equipment and hire new workers, and put the death tax on the path to extinction. Altogether, this tax relief left $880 billion in the hands of American workers and businesses.
President Bush has a broad, pro-growth economic agenda confronting rising gas prices. The President's four-part plan includes making sure consumers are treated fairly at the gas pump, promoting greater fuel efficiency, boosting our supplies of crude oil and gasoline, and investing in alternatives to oil, so that US can dramatically reduce its r demand for gasoline.
The Bush government has also made healthcare more affordable and easily accessible. The President has laid out a comprehensive healthcare plan that includes the creation of Association Health Plans to help small businesses get the same insurance discounts that big companies get.
Cutting needless regulations and stopping the spread of junk lawsuits, the President will continue to work with Congress to cut needless regulations and fight frivolous lawsuits - starting with asbestos and medical liability reform.
On the issue of opening foreign markets, Bush will continue pressing to open foreign markets to American products - on a level playing field, American businesses and workers can compete with anyone in the world.
Ensuring America remains the economic leader of the world, the President has proposed the American Competitiveness Initiative to multiply US commitment to research and development, strengthen education in math, science, and engineering.