Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I will say again to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, there is no group of people more than the Republicans on this side of the aisle who care about working families and who work every day for the philosophies that will support those working families and, again, all other groups. Let me say again, the amendment requires the GAO study only the effects of the first two of the seven wage hikes in H.R. 582 rather than the actual effect of this bill, which is increasing the minimum wage by 107 percent. As my colleagues well know, the first two wage hikes will not be as damaging as the increase to $15, so the results of the proposed GAO study are rigged to avoid using the damaging 107 percent hike as the appropriate benchmark. Second, this amendment has no teeth. It merely says that Congress can make recommendations after the first two wage hikes have gone into effect, but there is no requirement that Congress do anything in response, and there is no fast-track authority in this amendment. Again, I will say that this amendment is not necessary. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to see this amendment for what it is: an attempt to provide political cover to Democrat Members who are justifiably concerned about the negative impacts of a $15 Federal minimum wage in their district. Vote ``no'' on this amendment and ``no'' on H.R. 582. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore.…”