Political Quotes

“the minimum wage and efforts to increase it, have been the focus of many inaccurate comments by Members in the Republican majority. Some have said that there are no heads of households supporting families on a minimum wage. Others have proclaimed, an increase in the minimum wage would cause jobs to decrease for low-skilled workers. Mr. Speaker, the truth is an increase in the minimum wage is the only way working Americans will be able to sustain decent living for themselves. The truth is that 12 million Americans, most of them women, would benefit from the minimum wage increase. The truth is that a raise in the minimum wage is the least this Congress can do for Americans, after cuts in education, Medicare, school lunches, and environmental protections. The fact that we are even having a debate on the merits of a minimum wage increase shows that the majority cares little for those who are struggling. The majority feels the need to debate the merits of a bill that will provide extra pay that would mean 7 months of groceries, a year of health care costs, 9 months of utility bills, or 4 months of housing. We must stand strong for those who have the least. We must fight for those who are trying to better their situations through good, honest, hard work. We must be sure that a minimum wage is truly a living wage. Since businesses are enjoying record profits, we must ensure that profits are shared with the persons who made the records possible.”