Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE (R-Texas) in a Labor Day message on Monday blamed the “Obama economy” for stifling growth and opportunity for American workers.

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"Under the Obama economy, we have seen the lowest labor force participation since the late 1970s,” the GOP presidential candidate said in a statement. “Families, small businesses, minorities, and young people are being crushed by rising premiums and fewer good-paying jobs due to Obamacare, vast costs from new agency regulations, and a byzantine tax code.

“Manufacturing has steadily declined during Obama’s presidency, and the industriousness that has empowered workers and pioneered innovation is fading under his watch,” he added.

His comments follow a Labor Department report last Friday that showed the U.S. economy added 173,000 jobs in August. The jobless rate fell to 5.1 percent, the lowest level since April, 2008

The labor force participation rate held steady at 62.6 percent for the third consecutive month.

Cruz said he would “eliminate onerous regulations, repeal Obamacare, simplify the tax code, and welcome job creation in every sector.”

“We can champion hardworking Americans,” he added. “If we stand together for working men and women, we will reignite the promise of America."

--This report was updated at 2:20 p.m.