Political Quotes

“Mr. President, a $15 Federal minimum wage would be devastating for our hardest hit small businesses at a time when they can least afford it. These small businesses, like restaurants and childcare centers, provide vital services for working families and are the lifeblood of our rural communities. The CBO estimates that raising the Federal minimum wage to $15 would result in 1.3 million jobs lost--this during the worst period of job loss since the Great Depression. The cost of living in States like Iowa is very different than the cost of living in States like New York or California. We should not have a one-size-fits-all policy set by Washington politicians. We all support higher wages, but a $15 Federal minimum wage would be counterproductive to this goal. I thank my colleague Senator Tim Scott for working on this with me, and I urge my colleagues to vote yes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there any Senator seeking recognition in opposition? The Senator from Vermont.”