John Conyers: “I rise to oppose the previous question so that we can finally get a vote on the minimum wage--an issue on which Speaker…”

“I rise to oppose the previous question so that we can finally get a vote on the minimum wage--an issue on which Speaker Gingrich will not let the House speak its will. This despite repeated promises that the new GOP would let the House work the will of the people, and not bottle up legislation simply because they didn't like it. All we are asking for is a vote on the minimum wage. The facts are staggering when we look closely at the true value of our $4.25 per hour minimum wage: the current minimum wage is at its lowest value in 40 years and is 30 percent below its average level of the 1970's. Twelve million Americans earn less than $5.15 per hour, and 73 percent of minimum wage earners are adults and most are women. And it is estimated that one in five minimum wage earners live below the poverty line. It is clear that our minimum wage is too much minimum and not enough wage. The last time the minimum wage was increased was 1991--and its value has eroded 50 cents since then. That is why the President has proposed, and I support, a 90 cent increase over 2 years, bringing the wage to $5.15 per hour. During the two Government shutdowns, Members of Congress earned more than a minimum wage earner will make in an entire year. This Congress has spent the vast majority of its time trying to take away Medicare and other benefits from working Americans, while trying to find more tax breaks for the rich.”