Carter Supports Minimum Wage Increase With Small Business Protection

CARTER SUPPORTS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE WITH SMALL BUSINESS PROTECTION

House Conference Secretary John Carter (TX-31) today supported action that would increase the minimum wage over a two year period, while protecting the millions of small businesses that account for 98 percent of new businesses in the United States. During debate on H.R. 2, House Republicans offered this alternative, which expands on the Democrats' bill to raise the minimum wage.

"I support an increase in minimum wage, but we must protect small businesses and American working families," Congressman Carter said. "Republicans have laid out a plan that would not only raise the minimum wage, but also provide greater access to affordable health care for small businesses and their employees."

"The Democrats unbalanced minimum wage package will eliminate the strong job growth America has experienced over the past several months," Carter continued.

The Republican's alternative plan would have raised the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour over a period of two years, while expanding affordable health care and providing important tax protections. Democrats defeated the Republican proposal.

Carter opposed the Democrat plan that passed the House, because it only included language to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour over the next two years.

http://carter.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=55269