The Kansas Republican Party on Wednesday used the state’s new jobless figures to attack U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa.

The GOP said Moore voted for the $787 billion federal stimulus package, promising that it would provide more jobs. Yet Kansas still suffers with an unemployment rate of 6.9 percent, the party said.

“Kansans deserve more than empty promises from Dennis Moore about unemployment in our great state,” State Republican Party Chair Amanda Adkins said.

“They understand that creating a pro-growth platform does not rest on government spending. Our economy will only grow when businesses become stronger, which will happen by lowering the tax burden and setting policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurism,” she said.

Responding to the criticism, Moore, whose district includes east Lawrence, defended his vote, saying the economy would have been worse without passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“A year ago, we were facing one of the most severe economic situations our country has ever seen, and I don’t like to think where we would be now if our economy had been allowed to continue to plunge,” Moore said.

“Thanks to the ARRA, our country has saved 1 million jobs, including 250,000 education jobs, and that’s with only 50 percent of funds obligated so far,” he said.