Emanuel Cleaver: “in 1935, that old wild-eyed liberal, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, put forth a proposal to increase or to establish a…”

“in 1935, that old wild-eyed liberal, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, put forth a proposal to increase or to establish a minimum wage. It was 25 cents an hour. Mr. Speaker, we are now closing out 2006, and for 9 years, this Congress has failed to increase the minimum wage. Democrats strongly believe that no one in this country who works hard at a full-time job should have to live in poverty, unable to provide for their children. On the current minimum wage they can earn only $10,700 a year. That is shameful. It is close to being sinful. During the past year, we took the message to the American people. On November 7, they responded overwhelmingly by electing the Democratic majority to Congress. Mr. Speaker, the Democratic majority in the next Congress will not let the American people down. Within the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, we will pass a pay increase for the workers who need it most.”