Republicans Block an Increase While Workers Suffer

REPUBLICANS BLOCK AN INCREASE WHILE WORKERS SUFFER -- (House of Representatives - July 25, 2006)

(Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership of this body is preparing to adjourn the House for a 5-week vacation at the end of this week without meeting the needs of America's working families. Republicans continue to block an increase in the minimum wage that would benefit 6.6 million people in this country, three-quarters of whom are adults over the age of 20 trying to support their families.

This Republican Congress has refused to raise the minimum wage since 1997, causing it now to reach its lowest real value level in 50 years. The current pay of $5.15 per hour is simply not a fair or living wage in this economy. In fact, it now takes a minimum wage earner a full day's pay just to buy a tank of gas. What does that leave for housing and for food?

Democrats believe that it is simply unacceptable in this great and wealthy Nation for an American who works full time to live in poverty while the Republicans in this body give handouts to the wealthiest 1 percent.

Mr. Speaker, House Republicans have had numerous opportunities to vote for an increase in the minimum wage; yet they continue to stall this critical measure while millions of Americans suffer the consequences.

We should not leave this week without giving 6 million Americans a pay raise.

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