Senator Markwayne Mullin has called for reforms to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), stating that its current data collection methods are outdated and have led to frequent and significant revisions in jobs and economic reports. In an opinion piece published in The Hill, Mullin expressed support for President Trump’s nominee, EJ Antoni, Ph.D., to lead the BLS.
“For too long, America has been flying blind on our economic health. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is in desperate need of immediate reform and President Trump is putting the best team in place to do just that. EJ Antoni, Ph.D., will restore confidence and much needed integrity in the agency tasked with reporting on the state of our nation’s economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is most well-known for producing the monthly jobs report, must be the gold standard for labor data and a trusted source for Americans and partners worldwide,” Mullin wrote.
He pointed out that BLS reports have required multiple historic revisions this year alone, including both downward adjustments under Trump and what he described as overstated job growth numbers during former President Joe Biden’s administration. “Misleading numbers and inaccurate information threaten the bureau’s legitimacy. This is unacceptable and unsustainable,” Mullin stated.
Mullin argued that accurate statistics are essential for families, business owners, communities, and lawmakers who rely on them for making informed decisions about planning and policy. He noted his own experience as a business owner: “As a business owner myself, I’ve spent over 25 years planning for the success and longevity of my companies. Economic data is a critical tool that my team and I use, along with most business owners across the country, when planning for the future.”
He criticized the BLS’s unchanged data collection process: “How can businesses, communities and Congress be expected to make informed decisions if our labor statistics are not accurate? The bureau’s data collection process is outdated and hasn’t been changed in decades. Insane.”
Mullin said Antoni would modernize how BLS gathers information by improving transparency, accountability, timeliness, and accuracy. “Antoni will finally bring the Bureau of Labor Statistics into the 21st century. We need people like him to revolutionize how the bureau gathers information and conducts surveys while also improving transparency and accountability. He will ensure data is collected, processed and disseminated in the most timely and precise way possible. Under his leadership, businesses, policymakers and the general public will once again be able to rely on accurate statistics from the bureau.”
He linked BLS reform efforts with broader economic gains under President Trump’s second term: “BLS reform is just one way the Trump administration is delivering for American businesses and workers. Since Trump took office for his second term, we have seen over a half a million new jobs created in the private sector. Our economy is booming. His trade deals have brought companies back home to the United States, creating even more jobs.” Mullin also highlighted recent legislative action: “And Senate Republicans are backing him up with the recent passage of the Working Families Tax Cut Bill — which contains the largest tax relief for working-class families in American history, no tax on tips, and no tax on overtime pay.”
The senator addressed opposition from Democrats regarding presidential nominees: “We have been in the Senate confirmation fight since day one with Secretaries Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, and we’re not slowing down now. Senate Democrats have shown historic levels of obstruction against the president’s nominees. Never before have we seen this madness.” He added: “Presidents deserve to choose their own teams and their advisors. Despite this ridiculous obstruction by Trump-hating liberal Democrats, we will get EJ Antoni, and all of the president’s nominees confirmed.”
Mullin concluded by underscoring what he sees as Senate Republicans’ responsibility amid ongoing economic growth: “As the economy continues to surge under Trump’s leadership, the Republican-led Senate has a responsibility to confirm commander-in-chief’s choice to lead Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is far past time to get BLS back on track working for our great American business community once again.”
