Eva M. Clayton: “indeed it is time to raise the minimum wage. What is the argument that we hear the Republicans saying as to why we…”

“indeed it is time to raise the minimum wage. What is the argument that we hear the Republicans saying as to why we should not raise the minimum wage? They say when we do that we will reduce the opportunity for jobs; that, in fact, there are not a lot of people who are working at minimum wage, only teenagers. Mr. Speaker, that is a false premise. In fact, two-thirds of the minimum wage earners are families with adults who are trying to support a livable income providing decent food, shelter, clothing. That is the basis for the minimum wage, a living wage. Also, Mr. Speaker, it was said that if we do that, the economy will suffer. Why would it suffer? Where will that money go? As soon as the money comes in, it will go for food and shelter. It goes right back into there. What happened when the minimum wage was raised the last time? We did not have great inflation. That did not happen. Who are we protecting? We are protecting the rich. That is the issue here. Are we equally concerned for those at the bottom of the scale as we are concerned about the 5 percent we are willing to give big tax breaks? The minimum wage is the decent thing to do. It is also the economical thing to do. It is the fair thing to do. The American people want a minimum wage. We should do that.”