Roland Gutierrez: “my Republican friends love to talk about hard work. Why, from welfare to immigration, they can fit words of praise for…”

“my Republican friends love to talk about hard work. Why, from welfare to immigration, they can fit words of praise for working Americans into just about any debate. If this were a debate contest, they could win awards for all their fine rhetoric. But rhetoric will not pay the real bills of real people. Nice rhetoric might win someone a sound bite on the evening news, but it will not send any kids to college, or pay for a mortgage, or cover the doctor bills. And unfortunately, my Republican friends are much better at rhetoric than rewarding hard work. Well, I believe it is time to stop talking and start acting for the American people. It is simple. This House should say ``yes'' to a decent minimum wage for hard-working Americans. You see, they do not have time to make nice speeches about hard work, because they are too busy doing it. It is time for my colleagues to back up their empty words. Cut out the rhetoric. Instead, let us reward the hard work of the American people. Pass a livable minimum wage.”