Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, a major part of the American dream is to own your own home. Unfortunately, for millions of people in public housing, this dream has little chance of becoming reality, because they don't earn enough to get out of public housing. As a result, Mr. Speaker, the U.S. taxpayer covers the cost of public housing because millions of working poor don't make enough money to pay rent and put food on the table. A large part of the reason for this is our tragically low minimum wage. We could do a great deal to move people out of public housing by increasing the minimum wage to a level where people can earn enough to move out on their own. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership is so opposed to raising the minimum wage that they would rather kick the working poor into the streets. Mr. Speaker, this bill misses the point. The way we reduce the need for public housing is to give people a living wage. And today's minimum wage is certainly not a living wage.”