Eva M. Clayton: “In February, the President proposed a modest increase in the minimum wage. Following the President's proposal, the…”

“In February, the President proposed a modest increase in the minimum wage. Following the President's proposal, the Democratic leader introduced H.R. 940, the Working Wage Increase Act of 1995. Under H.R. 940, the minimum wage would be increased, in two steps, to $5.15 by Independence Day in 1996. There are currently 91 cosponsors of H.R. 940. Nothing has happened on the minimum wage bill since its introduction. Could this be because all of the sponsors are Democrats? It should be a bi-partisan effort to raise the minimum wage. It has been in times past. Both Speaker Gingrich and Senator Dole have supported minimum wage increases. The minimum wage needs to be increased now for two major reasons. First, to help improve the quality of life for all of our citizens. And, second, to raise the standards of our workers so that they can keep pace with changing technologies and be better prepared for competing with workers around the world.”