Bush Says Americans Should Have Chance to Work Longer Hours in Improved Economy

Reuters
Updated
GOP 2016 Bush
APRepublican presidential candidate former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks during a town hall meeting Wednesday, July 8, 2015, in Hudson, N.H.

By Steve Holland

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said Americans should have the chance to work longer hours, a remark that drew criticism from Democrats but which he said was intended to highlight that an improved U.S. economy could create more full-time jobs.

Bush told a forum hosted by the Union-Leader newspaper of Manchester that his aspiration for the country if he is elected in November 2016 would be to generate annual 4 percent economic growth "as far as the eye can see, which means we have to be a lot more productive."

"Workforce participation has to rise from its all-time modern lows," Bush said. This means, he said, "that people need to work longer hours and through their productivity gain more income for their families."

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