Boozman Calls for Bipartisan Minimum-Wage Increase

Boozman Calls for Bipartisan Minimum-Wage Increase

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today called on the House leadership to adopt an increase in pay for American workers, while also protecting employers, after Senate passage of minimum-wage legislation.

On Thursday, the Senate passed its version of H.R. 2 with only three Senators voting against it. The legislation would raise the minimum-wage to $7.25, while extending tax cuts to small-business owners to offset increased costs.

In January, the House passed a wage-increase to $7.25 with no protections for small-business owners. Boozman joined a bipartisan majority for passage, and promised to look for opportunities to remove the risk to employers, while securing a higher wage for workers.

"Today we have another opportunity to work in a bipartisan manner to craft a piece of common-sense legislation the people want," Boozman said. "The Senate bill is a winner for those who want to help workers, a winner for those who want to help business, and - more importantly - a winner for Americans who will see a pay-increase and Americans who own the small businesses which employ the majority of minimum-wage workers."

Boozman, who announced support of a GOP-backed House bill similar to the Senate one, reaffirmed his call to give small business owners the same opportunities as Congress.

"I know the importance of keeping the books balanced to keep a business going and keep people employed," Boozman, a former small-business owner, said. "The House was asking employers to increase costs, while giving them no mechanism to ‘pay-as-you-go,' and offset those costs.

"I am glad to see the interests of both employers and employees looked after in the Senate bill, and I call on the House leadership to get this wage-increase passed and on the President's desk," Boozman added.

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=56986