Lateefah Simon: “We are talking about 12 million Americans who can benefit, and what that means to 12 million Americans, people who are…”

“We are talking about 12 million Americans who can benefit, and what that means to 12 million Americans, people who are struggling, I do not think I need to spell out for most people. But unfortunately, in the U.S. Senate, we have to spell it out. We ought to spell it out, among other things, in terms of welfare. I have heard the phrase 'welfare reform' on the floor of the Senate over and over again this year and last year. Let me tell you, this minimum wage bill will do more to help people on welfare and for welfare reform than any welfare reform bill that has been before us. And it will save money for the Federal Government. Once in a while, we can do the humanitarian thing and save money. We will save welfare money. We will save money on the earned income tax credit if this is adopted. So for people who are interested in saving money, moving toward a balanced budget, here is one practical way of doing it. But let me mention one other observation that I think is important, and that is the way we finance campaigns and distort what is taking place.”