White House delays economic report

WASHINGTON, July 20 (UPI) -- The Obama administration says a delay in the release of an update on the U.S. economy is routine but critics say the administration is "hiding" something.

The congressionally mandated report on economic growth, employment and budget deficits is usually published in late July but the administration said Monday it would not be published for several weeks, The Washington Post reported. Kenneth Baer of the Office of Management and Budget said it was not unusual for the report to be delayed in the first year of a new administration.

"Because of the unique circumstances of a transition year, we -- like President George W. Bush in 2001 -- are releasing the midsession review a few weeks later than as is usual in non-transition years," Baer said.

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., suggested the delaying is intended to keep bad economic news from the public while Congress debates healthcare reform.

"The last time the president made grand promises and demanded passage of a bill before it could be reviewed, we ended up with the colossal stimulus failure and unemployment near 10 percent," DeMint said.

"What is (Obama) hiding?" he said.