Mike Pence: “I come to this floor wishing for a different choice than the one before me. The bill under debate provides permanent…”

“I come to this floor wishing for a different choice than the one before me. The bill under debate provides permanent estate and gift tax relief--something I have long supported. That is why the choice before us tonight is so difficult. While this bill will provide relief to American farmers and small business owners, it also will do much harm to those very same people and the people they employ because of the irresponsible 41% increase in the minimum wage that it also contains. This increase in the minimum wage is excessive and will hurt the poor and those entering the workforce by reducing the number of entry level positions in our economy. Minimum wage increases raise unemployment among teenagers, minorities and part-time workers. The minimum wage violates fundamental free market economics. It costs jobs, and I cannot support policies that will take jobs from those who need a paycheck the most. Any proposal containing a minimum wage increase should be jobs- neutral. If the federal government increases costs for businesses with one hand, it is only right that it reduce costs for businesses with the other. And while this legislation does contain good tax extensions, in totality, it is not jobs-neutral. This increase in the minimum wage will cost American jobs, and I cannot support it. Additionally, this bill contains unrelated elements added during the eleventh hour.…”