Rep. Eric Cantor talks jobs in Virginia

CULPEPER, Va. — Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.) took business into his own hands and tried to help his constituents find jobs on Monday.

The minority whip, an outspoken critic of the economic stimulus package, held a job fair where vendors from businesses and the government had a chance to talk with unemployed job-seekers.

Despite the steady rainfall outside, over 600 people participated in the event on Monday. Nearly 50 vendors were on hand for four hours at the job fair, which was held at Germanna Community College.

The event was a sequel to a job fair that Cantor hosted in Richmond in August, which garnered 3,500 job-seekers and 80 potential employers.

Cantor said more people would be employed if the stimulus bill contained more small-business-friendly provisions.

The economic stimulus package was an “utter failure,” Cantor told reporters at the event, adding: “If we would instead focus half the stimulus dollars toward small businesses, I believe we would have seen many more jobs created than were created thus far.”

The White House and many congressional Democrats strongly disagree, saying the stimulus has created or saved hundreds of thousands of jobs. However, Democrats are eyeing a new jobs bill, acknowledging that the nation’s unemployment rate of 10.2 percent is unacceptable.

Cantor said people found jobs as a result of the August event, which led to his decision to hold a second fair for his constituents.

At least half of the employers represented federal, state or local government organizations, including Army recruiters, the State Department, Justice Department and county school districts.

Those in the private sector, including the Boar’s Head Inn of Charlottesville and Bankers Life & Casualty Co., had thick stacks of résumés from potential recruits.

Both businesses are in the process of filling a handful of jobs.

Cantor got the idea of holding a job fair from his colleagues Reps. David Dreier (R-Calif.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.), aides explained.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) says that he wants to pass a jobs package in the House before Christmas.