WASHINGTON—Today’s employment report marks the fourth straight month of better-than-expected growth, with 1.4 million new and returned jobs and the unemployment rate declining to 8.4%. Rachel Greszler, a research fellow in Heritage’s Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, released the following response:

As we approach this Labor Day weekend, we can celebrate that 2.8 million fewer people were unemployed in August than in July, but there’s still a ways to go before returning to the incredibly strong labor market that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While unemployment is declining, some counties and states are faring much better than others. In July, seven states’ unemployment rates exceeded 13%, while nine states’ rates were below 7%. Where governments, businesses, and households are ready and willing to resume many of their daily activities—with appropriate health precautions in place—America can and will recover.

Now, more than ever, policymakers must resist putting taxpayers on the hook for even more stimulus spending and instead focus on fostering environments that keep work opportunities open for all Americans.